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THEY SUDDENLY vSAW, IN THE DISTANCE, A RIDGE OF WATER THAT ADVANCED WITH GRANDEUR, 

SIEENTEY, MENACINGEY and SWIFTEY, toward them— 5/?^ page 102. 







THE ADVENTURE 
S E ' R I E S 


JAMES GRIFFIN’S 
ADVENTURES 

ON 

LAND AND SEA 


\V.. ' , 

By HARRY DEE 



WITH SIXTEEN FULL-PAGE 
HALFTONE ILLUSTRATIONS 


J. H. YKWDALE & SONS CO., Publishers 

MILWAUKEE I903 


WISCONSIN 


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Copyright, 1899, by 
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PREFACE. 


In placing these three volumes before the public, 
the author is confident that they will be well re- 
ceived by the boys and girls of America. The three 
books relate the strange adventures of James 
Griffin and his sister Helen, on Land and Sea, in 
Alaska, and later in South Africa. 

The hero is a thorough young American, cour- 
ageous and full of resources, and he is thereby able 
to help himself out of many tight places. 

The story has been highly commended by many 
people well able to judge of its merits, and the uni- 
versal verdict has been that when these books are 
once taken up they will, with the greatest reluc- 
tance, be laid aside. 


THE AUTHOR. 


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CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER. PAGE. 

I. A Few Words About Our Hero 7 

II. Sorrow at Home 13 

III. The Conspirators 20 

IV. Escape from the Vessel 27 

V. Helen to the Rescue 36 

VI. James Disappears. 43 

VII. Helen’s Search for James 50 

VIII. James Turns Up 56 

IX. Captain Hardy Plots Further 61 

X. James is Set Ashore 67 

XI. Brother and Sister Meet 75 

XII. James off to Sea 83 

XIII. Helen Makes Her Escape 87 

XIV. James’ Life on Board Ship 95 

XV. Mrs. Griffin’s Grief 105 

XVI. The Mysterious Voice Ill 

XVII. Helen Again Home 117 

XVIII. James Makes More Trouble 123 

XIX. James on the Island 131 

XX. Captain Hardy Hears of Helen’s Escape 138 

XXI. Cannibals Visit the Island 145 

XXII. A Strange Meeting 150 

XXIII. Off for the South Pacific 158 

XXIV. Mr. Griffiin Tells His Story 164 

XXV. Savages Again Visit the Island 170 

XXVI. The Pursuers 178 

XXVII. In Search of the Island 186 

XXVIII. To the Rescue 193 

XXIX. James and His Father Smoked Out 198 

XXX. A Happy Meeting 207 

XXXI. Captain Napier’s Story 213 

XXXII. Mr. Griffin’s Story 220 

XXXIII. Captain Hines’ Last Trip 227 


INDEX TO ILLUSTRATIONS. 


PAGE. 


They suddenly“saw, in^the distance, a ridge of watenthat 
advanced with grandeur, silently, menacingly and 

swiftly, toward them Frontispiece 

“You sent for me. Captain Hardy,” announced James, po- 
litely 16 

The captain lay cowering 'before the menacing form of 

the young man 32 

Helen stood back of the chair and also read the threaten- 
ing words 48 

‘‘She’s come to see her brother and take him home again,” 

said Joe 52 

“That’s the boy’s sister,” answered Captain Hines. “She’s 

been looking for him.” 60 

“James!” was all Helen could say, as she embraced her 

brother 80 

On, on, Helen ran, with a set and determined face 92 

“Captain Hardy evidently intends that I shall hot want 

for means of amusing myself,” said James 96 

“James Griffin, you will soon be asleep, and when you 

awake we shall be far away” 128 

“How was the trip?” asked Hardy, who owned a half in- 
terest in the Sea Gull 144 

“What is your name, young man, if I may ask?” “Griffin 

— J ames Griffin ’ ’ 160 

They selected suitable places for openings and began to 

dig ditches in many directions 176 

Mrs. Griffin and Helen stood near the rail and anxiously 

waited for the captain to speak 192 

Mr. Griffin sent a few shots into the woods with his rifle, 

and James did the same with his revolver 208 

“Captain Hines,” said James, “let me introduce to you an 

old acquaintance, my father, Mr. Griffin” 224 


JAMES GRIFFIN’S ADVENTURES 


ON LAND AND SEA. 


CHAPTER I. 

A FEW WORDS ABOUT OUR HERO. 

James Grififiin had just reached his nineteenth 
birthday at the opening of this story. He was an 
intelligent, energetic, ambitious. God-fearing young 
man, and he was sure to become an exemplary 
member of society. 

He was well-built for his age and was an athlete 
of no mean ability among his schoolmates, and it 
was through his great work that his college ranked 
so high in its athletic contests. James was far ad- 
vanced in his studies, and stood high in chemistry 
and electricity. He was also a clever conjurer, and 
quite an adept in ventriloquism. He had learned 


8 


JAMES GRIFFIN’S ADVENTURES 


many tricks through his acquaintance with a man 
who made a living as a sleight-of-hand performer. 

James had given a number of successful enter- 
tainments at his home and at the homes of his 
friends. They all looked upon him as a veritable 
genius, and he was therefore extremely popular. 

No boy in school had a larger following, and his 
influence was always for the good. He frowned 
down the many bad habits that the young men 
were addicted to, and his teacher often remarked 
that but for James the work of handling the pupils 
would have been doubled. 

There were many older boys in school than 
James, but being the pitcher of the baseball club 
and the most agile player in the football eleven, he 
was the hero of the college. 

Often the young men congregated after practice 
to talk over their athletic work, and the following 
incidents will show the sturdy character of James, 
and his great moral courage. 

At one of the^ meetings, in the early days of 
James’ college life, the talk had drifted into story 
telling, and as one of the larger boys, and the old- 


ON LAND AND SEA. 


est one in school, related a story of more than 
doubtful character, and which was received with 
great laughter, James suddenly arose, and button- 
ing his coat, said: ‘‘Gentlemen, I am going home! 
Good-night!” 

There could not have been greater consternation 
in any army camp into which a Lyddite shell had 
been thrown than there was among James’ com- 
panions when he so peremptorily left them. 

Sneering remarks at his action were the first 
words spoken, but there were a number of the 
young men who greatly admired the bold stand 
James had taken, and encouraged at his action they 
supported him. 

“Who is this James Griffin, and on what has he 
fed, that he should put himself up as a moral ex- 
ample for all of us to follow?” said the story-teller, 
sneeringly. 

“Well, I am sure he has a right to show his dis- 
pleasure at your actions if he sees fit to do so,” 
anwSwered one of James’ defenders. 

The meeting soon broke up, and next day at 
school one of James’ friends asked him why he 


10 


JAMES GRIFFIN’S ADVENTURES 


had taken such severe measures in showing his dis- 
approval. 

“There was nothing else to do. I am deter- 
mined to keep my mind, body and soul clean, and 
my mother — ” James said the word “mother” with 
a reverence that showed his great love and devo- 
tion to her — “always instructed me to make my 
life a challenge, not a compromise. Had I even 
silently listened to that story yesterday, it would 
have been a compromise. By getting up and leav- 
ing I made it a challenge, as I shall ever do. I 
may not be on such good terms with the boys 
here, but I shall be what is infinitely more valuable 
to me — I shall be on good terms with God, with 
my mother and myself!” 

And the result of his action? Of course at first 
there was enmity on the part of some of the boys, 
but James’ whole actions were so clean and coura- 
geous that a moral awakening came, which proved 
the turning point in many a boy’s life. 

James became the leader, and the weak charac- 
ters were influenced for good, and the moral 
sentiment of the school was never better than when 


ON LAND AND SEA, 


11 


James Griffin was there tO' rebuke evil as it had 
probably never been rebuked before. 

At another time some boys had secured a keg 
of beer, and it was smuggled into the grounds. 
James was invited with a number of other boys to 
meet after school below the hill. No particulars 
were given, so James was there promptly. When 
the keg was brought out and its contents made 
known to him he refused to drink. 

''Oh, come on James; it won’t hurt you!” per- 
suasively remarked one of the big boys. "All the 
fellows are going to take a drink. We hooked it 
from the saloon on Blank street.” 

"And you expect me to drink stolen beer? I 
say 'no’ ! I would not drink beer anyway, but you 
ought to be ashamed to admit what you have just 
said.” 

"Well, don’t make such a fuss about it. Do you 
want to bring old Sharp Eyes down here?” 

"It is immaterial to me who comes down here, 
or who hears what I have to say!” answered James. 

"What a peculiar fellow you are, anyway. You 


12 


JAMES GRI FEINTS ADVENTURES 


never go in for a good time or go out for a lark/' 
answered the older boy. 

‘‘I am as ready for a good time as-'^ny* dim here, 
but I am not out for stealing or disgracing myself. 
My mother does not approve of my drinking 
liquors.’' 

''But this is only beer — it won’t hurt you.” 

"I said 'no’, and I leave you at once. Come, 
boys,” said James, as he walked away. 

Here was a test. 

The greater number of the young men followed 
James, and those who remained utterly failed to 
find any pleasure in the keg of beer. 

There were many other incidents in James’ 
career in college that showed his manhood 
and his ideas about what was right and wrong, 
but these two will give the reader a good insight 
into his character. 

But James’ college life was destined to be rudely 
broken into. 


ON LAND AND SEA. 


13 


CHAPTER II. 

SORROW AT HOME. 

The Griffin family lived in the city of San Fran- 
cisco, and James had just arrived home one after- 
noon and found his mother and sister Helen in 
great distress of mind. His mother held a letter 
in her hand, which she had been reading for some 
time. 

“Well, mother dear, what is troubling you 
now?” asked James, as he saw the sorrow in her 
dear face. 

“I must tell you, children, what has long been 
unknown to you,” answered the patient mother. 
“You know your father left here ten years ago to 
make a business trip to Australia. You know also 
that nothing has ever been heard of him since. 
You know your father was a vessel owner and had 
an interest in many properties. I always supposed 
that he was rich, but as long as two years ago his 


14 


JAMES GRIFFIN’S ADVENTURES 


former partner, Captain Hardy, informed me that 
many of their investments were bad, and that the 
hard times coming on, great losses and sacrifices 
were the result, so that the firm was practically 
bankrupt. In fact, we were dependent upon him 
for support, and the money we have been receiving 
regularly comes from his own pocket. He says he 
holds us all in high regard, and being convinced 
that your father is dead he now wishes me to marry 
him.” 

“ — But dear father is not dead!” exclaimed 
Helen impulsively. “I think of him by day and 
dream of him by night! Father will return some 
day and he must find us waiting for him! I am 
sure God will have mercy on us, and some day dear 
father will return home!” And Helen Griffin’s 
eyes turned to heaven in mute supplication. 

Helen was seventeen years of age, and although 
she had seen little of the world, she was keen and 
bright. She had sunny, truthful eyes, and fair, 
broad, open bro'W^, and there was a beauty in her 
face that gave promise of a womanhood as rare 
and noble as her childhood was pure. 


ON LAND AND SEA. 


15 


''Yes, dear,’’ answered the mother, "I can only 
think of dear Emil — your father — as living, al- 
though my reason tells me he must now be dead!” 

James had thus far said nothing. What he had 
heard from his mother shocked him greatly, and 
he was in deep thought. Many little events came 
to his mind now that he had never before noticed. 
Suspicion followed suspicion. He felt that the 
dealings of Captain Hardy were not honest, and 
he began to feel that his mother was being robbed 
by an unscrupulous man. 

Captain Hardy was not only the former partner 
of Mr. Griffin, but he was a brother-in-law as well, 
his late wife being a sister of Mr. Griffin. At her 
death, which occurred about five years before the 
opening of this story, she left her nephew — James 
Griffin — a considerable fortune, and Captain Hardy 
was made guardian. In case James Griffin, our 
hero, should die before he became of age, the for- 
tune was to revert to her former husband — the 
boy’s guardian. Captain Hardy’s interest in the 
firm was small, but Mr. Griffin had made him a 


16 


JAMES GRIFFIN* S ADVENTURES 


partner with a good salary out of consideration 
for his dead sister. 

Captain Hardy came of an Eastern family and 
was the oldest of two brothers, and had come to 
San Francisco with good recommendations. He 
was well educated, and had for a time been in the 
government secret service. He had shown great 
zeal in hunting down counterfeiters, and was well 
versed in all manner of criminal doings. He could 
take almost any kind of cipher and decipher it in 
a short time. But that kind of life did not exactly 
suit him, so he took Horace Greeley’s advice, and 
went West to grow up with the country. He 
wanted to make a fortune, and he thought that 
California offered the best inducements at that 
time. He became acquainted with Mr. Griffin’s 
sister and they were soon married. 

Captain Hardy was taken into Mr. Griffin’s busi- 
ness, and his profits were large. After the sup- 
posed death of Mr. Griffin, Captain Hardy became 
neglectful of his^ife and began to lead a dissipated 
life. The good woman grieved greatly, but bore 
her sorrows silently. The captain then began to 





YOU SENT FOR ME, CAPTAIN HARDY,” ANNOUNCED JAMES POUITEUY .— page 2j. 








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ON LAND AND SEA, 


17 


act cruelly .toward her, and she became ill, and 
calling in an attorney made her will in her nephew's 
favor. James was her favorite, and she always pre- 
dicted that he would become a worthy man. She 
felt that Helen would be well provided for by her 
mother, and she did not believe that a girl should 
have so much wealth as to induce fortune hunters 
to seek her hand in marriage, as she felt her hus- 
band had done in her case. 

After her death. Captain Hardy found that the 
bulk of his wife's money was to go to- James and 
he became furious, but seeing that it would do no 
good to make a fuss over it, he consoled himself 
by thinking that he would manage some way to 
get hold of James' fortune before he became of age. 

All these matters came to the young man's mind, 
and he could see that there was danger ahead. 

'‘How is it, mother," asked James, "that if Cap- 
tain Hardy has lost his money and our money, 
too, that he can afford to live in such style and 
entertain so lavishly? If he is so poor he does not 
show it. There is something wrong somewhere, 


mother." 


18 


JAMES GRIFFIWS ADVENTURES 


‘‘If I had only known something of your father’s 
business! But Emil had every confidence in his 
brother-in-law, and felt that should anything hap- 
pen to him we would be dealt with honestly. I 
now believe Captain Hardy to be a bad man, and 
I doubt his honesty in settling up the firm’s busi- 
ness, but we are now at that man’s mercy.” 

“What does he say in his letter?” asked James. 

“He writes that we are beggars, and that even 
the money coming to you has not been put into 
good investments. He says we have been de- 
pendent upon him for years. He reminds me that 
he has asked my hand in marriage several times, 
says father is surely dead, and says this is his last 
proposal. He offers us his home and protection, 
or if I refuse him, he will eject us from this 
house! He will turn us out penniless and helpless, 
and we have no friends to look to. Since father 
left we have lived so secluded ! I am so bewildered 
and confused that I cannot think! I know not 
what to do! Oh, Emil! Emil! cannot you hear me? 
Cannot you lift this load from my mind? He also 
wishes to see you on board the ship Essex this 


ON LAND AND SEA. 


19 


afternoon, James, so I think you had better go and 
see what he desires. Be careful and return as soon 
as possible.” 

The young man kissed his mother and immedi- 
ately left, glad to get out alone to think over the 
great troubles that had so suddenly appeared be- 
fore him. 

For years James had been going to school, with 
not a care except the sorrow of his father’s long 
absence. In his own mind he had long given up 
his father as dead, but he kept his thoughts to 
himself, for he saw that it was a great comfort to 
his sweet, pale-faced mother, to think of him as 
alive somewhere, and that eventually he would re- 
turn to them. 

In deep thought he made his way to the wharf 
where the vessel was tied up. 


20 


TAMES GRIFFIN’S ADVENTURES 


CHAPTER III. 

THE CONSPIRATORS. 

While Mrs. Griffin and her two children were 
in such sore distress, Captain Hardy was maturing 
a plan to make further trouble in the family. He 
saw that James Griffin was rapidly approaching 
manhood, and it was his desire to secure that young 
man’s fortune, and he determined not to be too 
scrupulous as to how it was done. 

On this afternoon he was on the ship Essex with 
Captain Hines, and they sat at a table with a bottle 
of liquor before them. 

“We are alone, I suppose,” began Captain 
Hardy, after the first greetings were over. 

“There’s not a soul about,” returned the other. 

“Well, I want you to take a passenger on your 
trip south, as I desire to send my nephew on a voy- 
age. You must show him something of the world, 
and if a wave should sweep him overboard or 


ON LAND AND SEA, 


21 


if he should die of fever, so much the better. At 
all events, Captain Hines, you need not bring him 
back after your cruise.’’ 

Captain Hines looked sharply at the speaker, 
and after a moment’s thought he rubbed his hands 
together, as though pleased at the orders he had 
received. He was already counting up in his mind 
how much the job was worth. Then sitting back 
in his chair he said: 

‘‘That’s serious work, Cap’n.” 

“No more so than what you have done before,^’ 
returned Hardy. 

“What do you mean?” asked Hines. 

“Mean? Don’t you remember when you had 
another name, and hailed from another state? 
Don’t you remember when you killed a man? — 
in self-defense, you claimed. Be that as it may, 
you fired a shot that killed Sam Connell, but es- 
caped the officers, and changed your name to 
Hines. Haven’t I told you the truth?” 

Captain Hines jumped from his chair and as- 
sumed an attitude of self-defense. 


22 


JAMES GRIFFIN’S ADVENTURES 


“What do you mean, Captain Hardy,” he de- 
manded, “by such words?” 

“Don’t get excited. Captain. There’s no one 
here, you say, so there’s no danger in my talking 
plain to you.” 

Captain Hines was silent a moment and then he 
answered: 

“You have discovered my secret, which I 
thought was unknown.” 

**Then I think we can come to terms. You 
know I have a nephew of whom I am the guardian. 
He has a little money coming — ” 

“ — Fifty thousand dollars. I’ve heard,” said 
Hines, eagerly. 

“It’s a lie,” roared Captain Hardy. “It isn’t ten 
thousand, but I need it.” 

“Yes,” returned Hines, “there may be only ten 
thousand left.” 

Captain Hardy turned pale and looked threaten- 
ingly- ^ 

“You are nervy. Captain Hines, to talk to me 
thus,” said Hardy. 

No more so than yourself. But why should we 


ON LAND AND SEA. 


23 


quarrel? I think we know each other quite well.” 

‘‘Yes, I think we do. Our interests are the same, 
so let us come to business. You see he is becom- 
ing a man and I feel that something should be 
done for him — ” 

“You mean ‘with’ him,” interrupted Hines. 

“Don’t joke with me now, Hines; I am in no 
mood for it. He should learn navigation and see 
the world, so that he can make his living when he 
gets to be a man.” 

“Yes, a boy with only fifty thousand coming to 
him needs to learn navigation, and know how to 
earn a living,” continued Hines. 

“Let’s have no more of this,” thundered Hardy, 
furiously striking the table with his fist. “The lad 
is almost a pauper, and I have kept his family at 
my own expense for years. Besides,” said he in 
almost a whisper, “I expect to marry his mother. 
It’s to be settled to-morrow, and settled to my 
way of thinking, too.” 

“All right, Cap’n, but what am I to get for his 
passage? Can’t expect me to carry him from 
’Frisco to the Sandwich Islands for nothing.” 


24 


JAMES GRIFFIN^S ADVENTURES 


‘‘I am glad that you are getting so sensible. We 
own this brig together — half and half. Now, if the 
boy should fall overboard or die so that the crew 
can be witnesses, you will own this vessel alone 
and get a thousand dollars besides.’’ 

Captain Hines’ eyes sparkled avariciously. 

“A liberal offer, Hardy!” 

‘‘Will you accept it?” 

“Yes! The boy will go with me and I’ll guar- 
antee that he will never return to claim his inheri- 
tance.” 

“It will be easy. Captain Hines. There are a 
thousand ways to get rid of him, and I leave it to 
you to choose a method. If you do not care to 
kill him outright, you might send him ashore on 
some island inhabited by cannibals and let him be 
captured. He will be foolish enough to propose 
going alone for fresh water or fruit. Then you 
will have nothing to blame yourself for.” 

“Oh, I’ll attend to his case; you can depend upon 
me entirely, Ca^n.” 

Captain Hardy looked happy and relieved. 
While he had no doubt about Captain Hines carry- 


ON LAND AND SEA. 


25 


ing out his plans, it required an effort on his part 
to make such a proposition. 

“Do your work well, Hines, and I will be your 
friend.” 

“All right, you have been liberal to me and I’ll 
teach your nephew all about navigation, but if any 
misfortune overtakes him you will not blame me.” 

“Oh, no; certainly not, my dear Captain Hines. 
So now let us drink to the success of our plans.” 

Two glasses were filled and emptied in silence. 

“When do you sail. Captain Hines?” asked 
Hardy. 

“The cargo is all shipped, the crew is aboard, the 
tide right and a good breeze blowing. I only 
await your orders to be off. But where’s the boy?” 

“He should be here soon. There! I hear his 
step on deck now.” 

And as the conspirators spoke, James Griffin 
stepped into the cabin. 

“You sent for me. Captain Hardy,” announced 
James, politely. 

“Yes,” returned Hardy. “I wanted to show you 
this boat. It is soon to leave for a year’s cruise and 


26 


JAMES GRIFFIN’S ADVENTURES 


I thought you would be interested/" and then 
Hardy introduced James and Captain Hines. 

'‘Then Tm just in time to see you ofif, Captain 
Hines/’ said James, not noticing the guilty expres- 
sion on the face of the slouchy-looking commander 
of the Essex. “A good and pleasant voyage to 
you, Captain. If you find any curiosities, I wish 
you would bring them for my sister Helen.” 

"That I will, Mr. Griffin,” returned Hines. "By 
the way, there in that stateroom are some rare 
shells. Pick out what you want,” and the captain 
opened wide the door. 

James stepped in and then heard the door slam- 
med behind him and the key turned in the lock. 
Then he heard Captain Hardy chuckle and bid 
Captain Hines adieu, and a few minutes later, he 
felt the boat leaving the wharf and going down the 
bay, and evidently bound out to sea. 


ON LAND AND SEA. 


27 


CHAPTER IV. 

ESCAPE FROM THE VESSEL. 

When James Griffin found himself locked up in 
the stateroom of the vessel he was not at all 
alarmed. He thought it a little joke of Captain 
Hines, so he leisurely looked over the curiosities. 
He felt sure that when it was seen that he was not 
to be frightened they would release him. After 
he had gazed at the articles he glanced out of the 
window, and observed that the boat was going out 
to sea. 

‘‘What does this mean, anyway?’’ he asked him- 
self. “Can they really intend anything serious 
about it? Can they mean to carry me off to sea 
against my will? No, it cannot be! In good 
time I shall be released. They only wish to 
frighten me, and then laugh at my timidity.” 

Thus the young man reasoned for a time, but 
his thoughts soon reverted to his mother and sister 


28 


JAMES GRIFFIN’S ADVENTURES 


and Captain Hardy, and then he began to get sus- 
picious again. Hooking out once more he saw 
that the vessel was going seaward, and then the 
truth forced itself upon his mind. 

“I see it! Captain Hardy means to send me to 
sea — perhaps to my death!” 

The thought of being taken from his home and 
mother and sister was too terrible for him to con- 
template. His poor mother would, perhaps, not 
know where he was, and she would be at the mercy 
of the hateful Hardy. 

“I see that if I wish to be a man, I must act like 
one, and if I want to get out of this fix I must 
exert myself. It is plain that Hardy has hired old 
Captain Hines to take me to sea, and perhaps get 
rid of me at the same time. Hardy wants my for- 
tune, and means to have it. But I’ll show him what 
I can do!” and James drew himself up confidently, 
and his eyes flashed defiantly. 

In desperation he called to Captain Hines, but 
there was no response. Then he kicked at the 
door, but it resisted all his blows. 

He saw that he was a prisoner! But James was. 


ON LAND AND SEA, 


29 


full of resources. He began to look about for some 
method of escaping from his prison. He saw a lot 
of packages on the floor and found among them 
beads, knives, revolvers, cheap watches, guns, 
jewelry and much colored clothes, and a lot of 
cheap trinkets, just such articles as were warranted 
to capture the hearts of the simple South Sea 
Islanders. 

‘^A.nd here's an old brass cannon, too. A great 
deal like the one John Connors had last Fourth of 
July. If I could only find some powder. I'd have 
that door open in a minute," said James to himself. 
^‘Hello, here's a can now," and James lifted up a 
red tin can, full of the explosive, and he immediate- 
ly proceeded to load the cannon. In place of shots 
he put in a lot of paper wadding, which at a short 
distance would be as effective as an iron shot. 

Pointing the cannon at the door he put on plenty 
of priming and lit a match and touched it off. 
There was a terrific boom and the panels of the 
door went out. 

A loud yell came from the cabin, and soon the 
captain was present. 


30 


JAMES GRIFFIN’S ADVENTURES 


‘‘What^s the matter?’’ yelled the captain, as he 
saw the broken door and the smoke pouring 
through the hole. '‘What has happened?” 

"Some of your powder has exploded!” called out 
James from the torn door. 

“How could that happen?” 

"Wait a second, captain, there’s going to be 
another explosion, I think. Perhaps the boat will 
be blown up — there’s no telling how serious the 
result will be. So look out, captain, or you may 
get hurt.” 

James had reloaded while giving this warning, 
and it is needless to say that the room was soon 
empty. 

James again applied a match, and another ex- 
plosion resulted. 

"Thunder and lightning!” yelled the old captain, 
"what are you doing, boy?” 

"It is thunder and lightning, captain,” answered 
James, "and look out that the lightning does not 
strike you!” 

"You desperado, do you want to blow up my 
ship, and the crew with it? Who’d a thought for 


ON LAND AND SEA. 


31 


a moment that the kid would show such nerve I 
He’s reckless as Satan and as bad. He’s a shoot- 
ing ofif that cannon! Seize him, Jack, before he 
shoots again!” 

But Jack had no desire to endeavor to capture 
a reckless young man in possession of a cannon. 

The captain, seeing himself alone, called out: 

‘‘Come out of there, you rascal, or Til have you 
put in irons and fed on bread and water for a 
year!” 

“Look out. Captain, she’s going ofif again! Be- 
sides, I’ve a couple of revolvers here that may 
come handy. Don’t do anything without my per- 
mission.” 

“Permission!” gasped the commander, hardly 
able to believe what he had heard. 

Captain Hines always ruled with an iron hand, 
and here was a boy who defied and mocked him. 

“That is what I said,” returned James. “No one 
comes near me without permission, or they do so 
at their peril!” 

“Boy, do you know what you are doing? There's 
enough powder there to blow up the vessel." 


32 


JAMES GRIFFIWS ADVENTURES 


‘^Well, if she goes up, it will be my own loss, 
for I believe this ship belongs to me instead of to 
Captain Hardy.” 

Hines was dumbfounded. 

James saw that he had made an impression on 
Captain Hines’ mind, and he concluded to follow 
up his advantage. 

‘‘Look out, Captain, this is a rapid-firing gun, 
and she’s going to shoot again!” yelled James. 

Then came another boom, but as there was 
nothing but powder and paper in the cannon, noth- 
ing worse than noise and smoke resulted. 

“The young desperado,” said Hines to himself, 
“who’d a thought he would give me such trouble? 
I wish I was rid of him. He’ll be my ruin yet, if 
not my death.” 

“There you are right, Captain!” called out James. 
“If you don’t let me get off this boat at once I’ll 
blow her up! Now, say that you will set me ashore, 
and I’ll promise to be good.” 

“But Captaim Hardy says you must go to sea 
and learn navigation, and see the world. He’s your 
guardian and must be obeyed.” 



•> 


THE CAPTAIN PAY COWERING BP:F 0 RE THE MENACING FORM OF THE YOUNG See page 34. 





ON LAND AND SEA. 


33 


‘^1 see, Captain, you desire to remain stubborn. 
Do you see these watches, and this jewelry? Well, 
I am going to throw it all overboard if you do not 
let me off,’’ and, true to his word, James began to 
toss the cheap watches and other articles one by 
one through the narrow opening into the water. 
Hines could not at that moment speak, so James 
continued to empty the room of its more valuable 
contents. 

Hines’ eyes bulged from his head, and he soon 
found his voice. 

‘'Here! here! Stop that, you rascal! Are you 
crazy? Well, I never heard of such acting by a 
human being. Stop, I say!” again yelled the infuri- 
ated captain as he saw article after article go over- 
board. 

“Will you promise?” repeated James, continuing 
in his destructive work. 

The captain could stand it no longer. 

“I — I — promise!” he finally gasped. 

“You will bring me back to San Francisco to- 
night?” 

“Yes, to-night.” 


34 


JAMES GRIFFIN’S ADVENTURES 


“Now, you are getting sensible, Captain Hines. 
But be quick about it!” 

The captain looked blankly. 

“Now, unlock the door,” ordered James. 

“Oh, yes; I will let you out at once,” and he 
turned the key in the lock. 

Preceding the young man on deck, he quickly 
ordered the men to seize James as he appeared. 

James anticipated some such action so he was 
prepared. 

One of the men attempted to carry out the order, 
and had no thought of meeting resistance, but he 
was mistaken. James was an expert boxer, 
wrestler, and all-round athlete, and it was easy for 
him to land the sailor a blow that felled him to 
the deck. 

The captain then madly rushed at the young 
hero, but he was also knocked down by a blow 
from James’ strong arm, and he lay cowering be- 
fore the menacing form of the young man. 

“Don’t play any games on me!” returned James. 
“Remember, I have a revolver here also, and will 
use it if I must, in self-defense.” 


ON LAND AND SEA. . 


35 


^^Curse the rascal/’ muttered Hines. 'Til kill 
him yet, let me once get my hands on him.” 

"Well, you will not get your hands on me if I 
can help it,” returned James, who had caught the 
words of the angry captain. 

"Look here, boy,” said Captain Hines, slowly 
rising, "your guardian has ordered that you go 
to sea with me, and what he says is law! Do you 
hear? The crew will obey my orders. Here, men, 
close on the young desperado, all at once! Don’t 
let him escape us!” 

James looked at the determined, set faces before 
him, and saw that they were about to obey their 
commander. He might shoot, but he had no de- 
sire to take a human life; so, quick as a flash, he 
ran to the rail and leaped over into the water. He 
struck out for the nearest shore, holding his revol- 
ver in his mouth, ready for use, if he must. 

"After him, men, all of you! Don’t let the Satan 
escape! Fifty dollars to the one who catches him.” 

The men hesitated a moment; then one sprang 
after the youthful swimmer, and several others 
quickly followed. 


36 


JAMES GRIFF IWS ADVENTURES 


CHAPTER V. 

HELEN TO THE RESCUE. 

At home, Mrs. Griffin was in deep grief over her 
affairs, but Helen cheered her sad heart, so that 
she fervently thanked God for possessing such a 
good daughter and son. 

Mrs. Griffin was one of the most loving mothers 
imaginable, and she lived now only for her children, 
so that they might be an honor to the family and 
a blessing to the world. It was from such mothers 
that come our most prominent and useful men, and 
our cemeteries are full of such sleeping mothers 
whose hands are folded over their breasts. No 
worldly eye ever saw a record of their lives and 
no monuments, with high-sounding epitaphs, mark 
their last resting-place. Mrs. Griffin felt that life 
was too short^o be spent in accumulating the 
things of this world that must perish, and as she 


ON LAND AND SEA. 


37 


saw her dear children growing up, she felt that to 
spend every hour with them was a duty, and 
Heaven gave to her the grace and strength to fulfil 
her duties aright, that her influence for good might 
be felt from generation to generation. 

For herself she thought little of what financial 
troubles might come, but for her children’s sake 
she was greatly worried. 

‘‘If Emil were only here,” she lamented, “our 
troubles would all be gone. But it’s so long ago! 
If he is alive he would ere this have returned to us.” 

“Mother, dear, have faith in God. Father will 
return; he is not dead,” answered Helen. 

“Why are you so positive, Helen?” 

“Because, dear mother, you are worthy of God’s 
blessing, and He will not forsake you.” 

“But we must meet sorrow, Helen; the best peo- 
ple have their sorrows. It will be a great blessing 
if we meet in the next life.” 

“Pray, mother, and your prayers will finally be 
answered. I feel it! Father cannot be dead! He 
will certainly come back some day, and when he 


38 


JAMES GRIFFIN’S ADVENTURES 


returns Captain Hardy will have to make an ac- 
counting. And now, mother, what answer shall 
we give Captain Hardy when he comes?” 

Mrs. Griffin again looked at the letter of Captain 
Hardy, and Helen stood back of her chair and also 
read the threatening words. 

“I shall never marry him! I feel it would be a 
crime,” answered Mrs. Griffin, firmly. 

“That is right, mother. I would sooner be dead 
than be dependent upon him. Besides, James has 
a fortune coming in his own name, and in two 
years we will get it. So you see, there is no neces- 
sity for marrying him, even for my sake. I never 
could bear the sight of him.” 

“He is very coarse and disagreeable, and I am 
positive he has robbed us of your father’s wealth,” 
returned Mrs. Griffin. 

“Then it is settled that you will never marry 
Captain Hardy, no matter what happens to us?” 

“It is agreed. I will never marry him!” 

While these two — mother and daughter — were 
deciding their future course, Captain Hardy was 


ON LAND AND SEA. 


39 


approaching their home. Mrs. Griffin became 
agitated and alarmed, for she feared the captain 
very much. 

“Go to your room, mother, and leave him to 
me,” said Helen, with a determined air. 

The mother retired and Helen went out to meet 
the hateful captain. 

“Good morning, Helen,” said Captain Hardy. 
“You are always looking fresh and pretty. Your 
mother is home, is she not?” 

“Yes, sir, she is.” 

“Well, I’m glad of it. I would like to see her.” 

“My mother does not wish ta see you.” 

“But she received my letter?” 

“Yes, and I think that is enough for one day.” 

The captain colored, and then said, with a forced 
smile: 

“It seems to me you are putting on lots of airs 
for a young girl. You had better go and play with 
your schoolmates, and allow your mother to attend 
to the more important affairs of life.” 

With this he attempted to enter the cottage 


40 


JAMES GRIFFIN'S ADVENTURES 


door, but Helen stood before him, and said, 
bravely: 

“Captain Hardy, you shall not enter! Mother 
does not wish to see you! You may turn us out 
as you threaten, but you shall not enter before we 
are gone! We do not fear you! James will have 
his fortune soon, and then we shall be through 
with you!” 

The captain became angry. He lifted his hand 
and pointed down toward the bay. 

“At this moment,” he said, “Master James 
Griffin is on board the Essex and on his way to 
sea! He is going to the South Sea Islands, and 
it may be a year before he returns!” 

Helen uttered a sharp cry that brought her 
mother to the door. 

“What is it, darling?” asked Mrs. Griffin. 

“Captain Hardy says James is aboard the Essex, 
and she is on her way to the South Sea Islands. 
That is some of your work, Captain Hardy,” con- 
tinued the youngi^irl, turning to the captain, “and 
you shall pay for it some day!” 


ON LAND AND SEA. 


41 


Mrs. Griffin almost fainted when she heard what 
had been done. 

Helen asked her to go into the house, and said 
she would go down to the bay to investigate. 

Mrs. Griffin readily complied, and Helen darted 
out of the yard and left the surprised captain stand- 
ing in front of the closed door. 

Helen hurried to the boat house on the bay, 
where she found Joe Farrell, a long and true friend 
of the Griffins, and a great admirer of James. 

Joe Farrell had kept boats at that place for many 
years, and although he had few school advantages, 
was a splendid fellow and a good sailor. 

When Helen approached Joe she was almost 
breathless. She told him that Captain Hardy and 
Captain Hines were carrying James off to sea on a 
year’s cruise. 

“How do you know?” asked Joe. 

“Captain Hardy just told us at the house! Oh, 
the meanness of it!” 

“What’ll we do?” asked Joe, in a quandary. 

“Do? Why, get a boat ready and we’ll overtake 
the vessel. See! there she is, going slowly. The 


42 


JAMES GRIFFIN’S ADVENTURES 


wind is changing, and she’ll soon be compelled to 
come about. Quick, the boat!” 

Joe had a boat ready in a jiffy, and taking a 
young man he had as help along, the three were 
soon rapidly approaching the now almost station- 
ary vessel. 


ON LAND AND SEA. 


43 


CHAPTER VL 

JAMES DISAPPEARS. 

As soon as James touched the water he rid him- 
self of his shoes and struck out for the nearest 
shore. He was a rapid swimmer, and was lightly 
attired, and soon was a considerable distance from 
the boat. He had heard the order of the captain 
to his men, but he was sure that he could outswim 
them. He looked back and saw several men swim- 
ming after him. 

He soon came to a piece of old timber floating 
down the bay, and concluded to take hold of it 
and rest a while. Facing his pursuers with revolver 
in hand he said: 

‘‘Do you see this? Now donT you come any 
nearer if you value your lives! I donT want to 
hurt anybody, but Fm going back to the city to- 
night. Let me tell you that Captain Hines is try- 
ing to kidnap me — to take me to sea. Now, I 


44 


JAMES GRlFFIN^S ADVENTURES 


don’t want to go, and I won’t! Remember, if I use 
this revolver, it will be in self-defense!” 

‘‘You wouldn’t shoot, would you?” returned the 
one nearest to James. “It would be murder! Re- 
member, it would be clear murder!” 

“Well, I’m something like the governor of New 
Jersey. He said he would stop capital punishment 
as soon as people discontinued committing crimes. 
So, just keep away from me and I won’t shoot, 
but I warn you I’ll not be taken back so long as 
I can help it. They mean to murder me — Hines 
and Hardy have it all planned out, and you men 
are helping in the work. Do you want to see me 
killed so that they can get my money?” 

“They wouldn’t do that. Better come back and 
do as your guardian wants. You’ll appreciate it 
when you get older.” 

The men were nowall treading water and getting 
more tired, while Janies was becoming nicely 
rested. 

“Well, are yoirgoing to swim around all night?’" 
asked our hero. 

“No,” answered one of the men, “you must 


ON LAND AND SEA. 


45 


come back to the boat/’ and he began to swim 
toward the resting place of James. 

It was time to act, so James fired a shot over 
the sailor’s head, as a warning. 

“You’ll be hanged if you shoot us!” he called 
out, aghast. 

“And I’ll be killed if I don’t,” returned the 
young man. “There isn’t much choice about it, 
I see. Now, look here, men! You turn about and 
go back or someone will get hurt. I’ve got a 
right to defend myself, and any jury would acquit 
me of murder. Another thing, you are all pretty 
tired, and I am not. I can slip oflf here at any 
moment and beat you all to shore.” 

“Guess we’d better go back,” said one of the 
men. “The young man is right. TheyVe no busi- 
ness to kidnap him, and I, for one, am through 
with this job. We weren’t hired to hunt boys, 
anyway,” and he turned around and swam for the 
ship. 

The others assented, and soon all were swim- 
ming for the Essex. 

Captain Hines saw the men returning, and also 


46 


JAMES GRIFFIN’S ADVENTURES 


saw that James was on his way to shore. He 
stormed terribly, and immediately ordered a boat 
lowered and himself occupied the stern so as to 
steer. He urged the men to quick action, and the 
big yawl made rapid headway through the murky 
\\aters. 

James looked over his shoulder and saw the 
pursuit, and also saw that he could not reach the 
shore before the boat. 

What was to be done? To be captured meant 
to be put in irons and brutally treated. He must 
escape, but how? 

He kept on swimming, and trying to devise 
some plan. The boat came nearer and nearer, and 
he heard the exulting shouts of Captain Hines. 

When the boat was about twenty or thirty feet 
distant, James suddenly sank from view beneath 
the waters. 

At the moment of James’ sinking all were row- 
ing, and even the captain was not looking. 

/‘We’ll have him^now,” shouted the captain. ‘‘A 
few more strokes and I’ll get him by the hair.” 


ON LAND AND SEA. 


47 


“Look out, Captain, he’ll shoot,” said one of the 
men. 

“Two can play at that game,” returned the cap- 
tain. “If he raises his hand I’ll shoot him through 
the arm,” and the captain looked at his revolver as 
he spoke. 

When he again looked up the boy was gone. 

“Where is he gone to?” cried the captain. “He’s 
sunk!” 

“Sunk!” echoed the men. 

“Yes, sunk. He just disappeared beneath the 
waves right over there.” 

“He may have dived to avoid us,” suggested 
one of the men. 

“If he did he must come up in a minute. Look 
lively, men. We’ll have him soon, or he’s gone to 
Davy Jones’ locker.” 

“Perhaps a shark took him,” said a sailor after 
a while. “You know the sharks come up here 
occasionally.” 

“He’ll be food for fishes sure, if he doesn’t come 
up soon,” said the captain. “Row around in a 
big circle, men, and see if he is anywhere about.” 


48 


JAMES GRIFFIN^S ADVENTURES 


must have had cramps, or something, and 
now he is drowned. No one could stay under 
water that long. He must have sunk like a log.'’ 

‘‘Well, Captain, he’s not on the surface. He 
couldn’t even get his mouth out of the water with- 
out our seeing him. He must be gone.’’ 

Ten minutes passed, and the young man did not 
appear. 

“Where can he be?” muttered Hines, uneasily. 
“He must be drowned.” 

They rowed around for half an hour searching 
for the missing boy, but he was not to be seen. 
All was as still as death. 

After a while the men were convinced that it 
was useless to remain longer. 

“Well, men, the boy’s gone to the bottom. He 
was a fool — a reckless idiot — and his death is on 
his own head. No one is to blame for it, that is 
sure,” and the captain’s eyes gleamed exultingly 
at the thought of what James’ death meant to him. 

“Captain Hardy will be well pleased. I’ve no 
doubt,” muttered the heartless man to himself. “It 









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ON LAND AND SEA. 


49 


was pretty quick work, and the best of it is that 
no one is to blame for it/' 

Thus the captain tried to make himself think 
that he was wholly innocent in the affair. No 
man, however hardened, cares to have more crimes 
on his mind than necessary, and Captain Hines 
took especial pleasure in the thought of having 
accomplished his end without further compromis- 
ing himself. 

'‘Well, men, it’s no use to remain here longer. 
The boy’s gone — drowned — and we might as well 
go back to the Essex,” finally remarked the cap- 
tain, after a long quiet. 

The men were more than willing to get away 
from that uncanny locality, and gave a hearty 
assent to the suggestion, and in a moment the boat 
was rapidly on its way to the vessel. 


50 


JAMES GRIFFIN’S ADVENTURES 


CHAPTER VII. 

Helen’s search for james. 

Captain Hines had no sooner reached the vessel 
than one of the men reported that a boat was ap- 
proaching from shore. 

“It’s probably Captain Hardy, who, observing the 
vessel lying here, has come out to see if all is well. 
It’s sad news we’ve got to report to him, and 
he’ll be all broke up over it. You’re not a bit 
to blame for the unfortunate affair, for you all did 
everything in your power to rescue him. Poor 
lad — he was a fine young fellow, only a little too 
headstrong and spirited. Well, it can’t be helped,” 
and the captain wiped an imaginary tear from his 
eyes. 

“It’s a man and a young lady,” reported a sailor 
to the captain. - 

“It’s old Joe Farrell, sure as I live. I know his 


ON LAND AND SEA. 


51 


boats and I know the pull of his oar/' remarked 
another. 

Captain Hines moved uneasily. 

‘'What can they want here?” he thought. 

Soon the small boat came alongside and was 
fastened, and Joe and Helen quickly boarded the 
vessel. 

“Well, what can I do for you?” asked the cap- 
tain, none too pleasantly. 

“Captain Hines,” said Joe, “this is Miss Helen 
Griffin, and she’s come to see her brother and take 
him home again.” 

The captain looked blankly. 

“Do you hear what I say?” repeated Joe. 
“We’ve come to take James Griffin back to the 
city with us!” 

“He’s not here! I assure you he’s not on board 
this — this vessel,” for once, truthfully answered the 
captain. 

“He is!” asserted Helen. “Captain Hardy just 
told us that he was aboard the Essex and going 
to sea on a year’s cruise. You have him hid in 
the cabin or hold somewhere. We want him re- 


52 


JAMES GRIFFIN^ S ADVENTURES 


leased at once, or it will go hard with you men. 
Bring him here immediately!’’ 

Helen’s words and orders made the captain 
smile. 

‘‘What a little spitfire she is! She and her 
brother are just alike — he’s like her and she’s like 
him,” muttered the captain to himself. Then he 
answered: 

‘T assure you, Mr. Farrell and Miss Griffin, that 
the boy is not aboard this boat. He’s — he’s — 
drowned!” 

Helen looked at him suspiciously, believing him 
to be lying to get rid of her. 

‘'That won’t do, Captain Hines,” answered the 
young girl. “You cannot put us off with a story 
like that. James is alive and well; you have him 
shut up aboard this vessel.” 

“Is it not so, men? Isn’t the boy drowned?” 

“Yes, that he is,” assented the crew. 

“Drowned! It cannot be! James, drowned! 
No! no! He is not! Oh, Captain Hines, bring 
him here — tell him his sister is here!” cried Helen, 
in growing despair. 





SHE:’S come to see her brother and take him home again,” said See page 51 . 



ON LAND AND SEA. 


53 


'Xisten to me, young lady. He was aboard this 
vessel, but he was so unruly that we had to lock 
him up in a stateroom. He made a lot of trouble 
and finally jumped overboard. We did all we could 
to save him, but he went down right before our 
eyes. Didn’t he, men?” 

‘‘Yes, we all saw him disappear,” said one of the 
sailors. 

Helen was overwhelmed, but quickly recovered 
herself. She looked about the vessel and then ran 
rapidly to the cabin, followed by Joe. 

The steward was there and to the inquiry for the 
boy he showed them where the boy had been con- 
fined, and told them how he had shot of? the can- 
non and broken the door. 

“He’s dead. Missus, there’s no doubt about it! 
The boat waited around where he sank for half an 
hour and not a sign of him was seen. He went 
down like a shot. Cramps, I ’spect — or a shark!” 

“It cannot be!” moaned Helen. “Oh, James, 
James, where are you!” 

Joe was more easily convinced. He saw the 


54 


JAMES GRIFFIN^S ADVENTURES 


reasonableness of the explanation, and he had no 
doubt that what the men said was true. 

‘Tm afraid it’s true, Miss,” he said to Helen. 
‘‘James is not here, so he must have jumped over- 
board and was drowned. Let us go on deck.” 

They returned on deck and Joe conversed with 
some of the sailors. 

“You see. Miss,” said Captain Hines, “he’s not 
here. It’s as I told you. He would not obey the 
orders of his guardian and go to sea and learn 
something, and now he’s dead.” 

“He must have swam ashore!” cried Helen. 
“But if he is dead, you will have to answer for it! 
You had no right to take him away against his 
will!” 

“ ’Twas his guardian’s orders. Miss,” returned 
the captain. 

“Come, Joe, let us go and search the bay for 
him,” said Helen, with sudden energy and with a 
hope that James was yet swimming in the water. 

“It’s little use, but I’ll come,” returned the old 
sailor. “It must be as the men say. They all saw 
him go down.” 


ON LAND AND SEA, 


55 


But he quickly entered the boat and they rowed 
to where the men indicated he had last been seen. 

It was now getting dusk, but the shore could be 
discerned, and as they rowed around the locality, 
Helen called loudly her brother’s name. 

No answer came but the splash of the water 
against their own boat. In desperation she finally 
arose to her feet, and cried: 

^'Oh, God, be merciful! My poor mother! Oh, 
James, James! come to your sister!” 


56 


JAMES GRIFFIN’S ADVENTURES 


CHAPTER VIII. 

JAMES TURNS UP. 

James Griffin was neither drowned nor had he 
been eaten by a shark. 

The time for his death had evidently not yet 
arrived. 

When he sank beneath the waters of San Fran- 
cisco Bay it was not the last struggles of a drown- 
ing person, but a quickly-formed plan to escape 
the crew of the Essex. 

At first, when he saw the boat approaching, he 
was inclined to defend himself with his revolver, 
but on second thought he concluded that his new- 
ly-formed plan would be best. He did not want 
to figure in court in any shooting affair, and did 
not wish to take a human life, anyway. 

When he sanlc-tinder the water he took a long 
breath and swam rapidly toward the boat occupied 
by his enemies. He calculated the distance nicely. 


ON LAND AND SEA. 


57 


and came up just under the stern of the yawl and 
grasped the rudder on one side. The curve of the 
stern of the boat was of such a nature as to effectu- 
ally hide him from observation, although had his 
presence there been suspected he could have been 
seen. 

Here he clung on lightly and overheard all the 
hypocritical words of Captain Hines. He now saw 
that it was important to get away from the men 
who were plotting his ruin. To be recaptured 
meant that he would be done away with at the 
first opportunity, and the opportunities would be 
plentiful on a long cruise. 

James thought over everything while hanging 
to the boat with only his head above the water. 
He thought of his mother and of Helen, and how 
they would be worried at his absence. 

Finally Janies heard the order to return to the 
ship, and soon the boat arrived and the men got 
out, and the yawl was temporarily swung around 
to the stern of the vessel. 

James' plan was to unfasten the rope that held 
the boat, and to let it drift away from the ship. 


58 


JAMES GRIFFIN’S ADVENTURES 


He was about to carry out his plan when he ob- 
served a boat approaching. 

When he saw that it was his sister Helen and 
Joe Farrell in the boat he was almost tempted to 
show himself, but he soon concluded that it would 
be unwise to do so, as they would be no match 
for the crew of the vessel. So he remained hidden in 
the water, and after a time he saw Joe and his sister 
re-enter the boat and quickly row away. Oh, if 
he could only have let them know that he was 
alive! But there was no opportunity, and so he 
was forced to see them depart with the conviction 
that he was dead. 

But now he must be thinking of himself, and put 
into execution the plan to escape. He swam care- 
fully to the bow of the boat, unfastened the rope 
that held it, and was soon gratified to see that he 
was moving away from the vessel. As soon as he 
thought he was far enough away to be unobserved, 
he clambered iq^ the boat and began to row for 
shore. 

No sooner had he taken hold of the oars, how- 
ever, than he observed that a boat was being low- 


ON LAND AND SEA. 


59 


ered from the Essex. Was the yawl missed? Yes, 
that must be the case, for the boat's bow was 
directed toward him! 

At first he thought he might gain the shore ere 
they overtook him, but through the darkening 
shadows he saw that the two strong oarsmen were 
making their boat fairly fly through the waters, 
while he, in his benumbed and weak condition, 
made but little headway. 

There was nothing for him to do but to again 
take to the water, and, letting himself over and 
taking an oar along, he swam as fast as he could, 
out of their way and sight. 

He saw the men soon arrive at the abandoned 
boat, make her fast, and then tow her back to the 
Essex. 

Thank heaven he had again escaped! But he 
was yet far from shore and he felt that he was 
fast losing his strength. The wind now also came 
up and the waves further impeded his headway. 

He soon saw that unless help arrived he was lost. 

His thoughts went back to his childhood days, 
to his home, his mother and sister, to the church 


60 


JAMES GRIFFIN’S ADVENTURES 


and the good pastor, the kind teachers in school, 
and now he thought that he was going to die! 

While a little strength yet remained he fastened 
himself to the oar, and thus he drifted seaward 
with the wind. 

Suddenly out of the darkness he saw a vessel 
approaching, bearing down toward him. 

“It must be the Essex,” he groaned. “Why 
could it not have been some other vessel?” 

He hesitated about shouting for help, but in his 
weakened condition he realized that if he was not 
rescued he would soon drown. 

So, regardless of what the vessel might be, he 
hailed her, as best he could, and saw that a sailor 
standing at her rail had heard his cry, and that he 
was seen. 

He faintly saw that the ship hove to, and soon 
felt himself lifted out of the water and then he 
became unconscious. 

His strength had finally given out. 



‘THAT’S THE BOY’S SISTER,” ANSWERED CAPT. HINES. “SHE’S BEEN BOOKING FOR HIM .”— page 6j. 













ON LAND AND SEA. 


61 


CHAPTER IX. 

CAPTAIN HARDY PLOTS FURTHER. 

When Helen finally reached shore with Joe Far- 
rell she was in despair. How could she tell her 
mother that James was drowned? 

‘"Come, Helen/’ said Joe, ''let us go up to your 
mother’s. She will be waiting for you.” 

"Oh, Joe, let me stay here! I can’t go away yet! 
Let me sit here by the boat, and you go up and 
tell mother what has happened.” 

Joe was afraid to leave her alone by the water, 
and urged her to accompany him, but she 
pleaded to be allowed to remain alone, so Joe re- 
luctantly went to the home of Mrs. Griffin. 

Joe had been gone but a short time when Helen 
saw a boat approaching shore, and she soon ob- 
served through her tear-stained eyes that it was 
occupied by Captain Hines and one of his crew. 


62 


JAMES GRlFFlN^S ADVENTURES 


She quickly approached the captain and asked if 
there was anything new. 

‘‘No, ma’am/’ he answered. ‘^The boy is gone, 
you may be sure of that! You saw nothing of 
him?” then questioned the captain anxiously. 

‘'Nothing, nothing!” moaned Helen, and then 
she went and leaned on a pile at the edge of the 
wharf. 

Captain Hines had come ashore to tell Captain 
Hardy the news before he departed, as he saw that 
Hardy would want witnesses, if not an affidavit, 
of the drowning of James Griffin. 

He was just about to start to find Hardy when 
that individual appeared. 

After being denied admission at the Griffin home 
he had wandered about for some time and finally 
went down to the water. 

“Hello, Captain Hardy,” called out the com- 
mander of the vessel. “I was just going to hunt 
you up.” 

Hardy’s face Wore a dejected look, which was 
in great contrast to the beaming countenance of 
Captain Hines. 


ON LAND AND SEA, 


6a 


^^How’s the boy?’’ asked Hardy, anxiously. 
‘‘Has he made any trouble or will he go along 
quietly?” 

“Trouble!” ejaculated Hines. “He made more 
trouble in the hour he was aboard that boat than 
a wild horse would make during that time in a 
millinery store. He fired off a cannon several 
times and came near blowing up my ship. Then 
he jumped overboard!” 

Hardy’s face turned ashen pale. 

“The boy escaped?” he cried out in alarm. 

“He jumped overboard — and though we did all 
we could to rescue him, he — drowned! A terrible 
misfortune, captain — a terrible misfortune!” and 
Captain Hines gave Hardy a meaning glance and 
then looked toward the sailor in the boat. 

“Let us take a walk, Hines,” said Hardy, and the 
two worthies walked a short distance away. Then 
Captain Hines told Hardy about James. 

“Who is that?” asked Captain Hardy suddenly, 
seeing Helen standing at the edge of the wharf. 

“That’s the boy’s sister,” answered Captain 
Hines in a whisper. “She’s been looking for him.” 


64 


JAMES GRIFFIN^S ADVENTURES 


‘‘We must look out for her/’ muttered Hardy. 
“It was she that set her mother against me. I 
wish she was with her brother beneath the water! 
Curse her!” 

“She says she’s going to make trouble for us!” 
replied Hines. 

“Hines, we must get rid of her, too. I’ve a plan 
I’ve been thinking of for some time. I’ve a place 
down the coast where I should like to put her for 
a time. There’s an old woman there that lives rent 
free, and she would do anything for me, especially 
if I gave her a little money. Can’t we get her 
aboard )^our boat and can’t you let her off there?” 

“That I can. Captain Hardy, but don’t you think 
we ought to settle accounts for the boy, first?” 

“Oh, that will be all right. It will take a year 
to settle the boy’s affairs in court. You must leave 
me one oi your men as witnesses. But now we 
must get away with that spitfire first. Only for 
her my affair with her mother would be settled 
now. With her and the boy out of the way I’ll 
have no trouble at all. Then the girl can come 
back and it won’t make any difference.” 


ON LAND AND SEA. 


65 


^‘All right, Captain Hardy, I’ll wait until I return 
from my cruise, and I’ll leave you the man I have 
in the boat. You can depend upon him.” 

‘‘And as for this work. I’ll pay you handsomely, 
too,” returned Hardy. “We’d better take her now. 
We can throw a coat over her head and carry her 
on board. To avert any suspicion, we can turn over 
the boat and leave her apron or glove lying here. 
They’ll think she drowned herself in despair, and 
the boat full of water will bear out the statement. 
I’ll take her at once,” and Captain Hardy stepped 
lightly toward the girl deeply buried in her 
thoughts and misery. 

As the captain neared her he heard her talk half 
aloud: 

“Oh, James, James!” Helen cried in agony. “If 
you are dead I’ll make trouble for Captain Hardy, 
for he is responsible for your death. I’ll see, too, 
that he does not inherit your wealth. Oh, the 
baseness of that man!” And Helen sobbed convul- 
sively in her grief. 

At that moment she heard a footstep back of 
her, and then beheld the fierce gleam of Captain 
Hardy’s eyes. 


63 


JAMES GRIFFIN’S ADVENTURES 


“Not a word, girl, do you hear?” and at the same 
moment he threw his coat over her head. 

It was hardly necessary, for her terror became 
so great that she was almost immediately uncon- 
scious. 

The captain took her in his arms and hurried 
toward the boat. 

The sailor was informed that he should remain 
ashore as a witness of James’ death, and Captain 
Hardy promised to pay him well besides, so he 
was highly pleased. 

The unconscious girl was placed in the boat and 
the captain was soon rowing briskly for his ship. 

Captain Hardy was well pleased with the out- 
look. 

“I am a rich man,” he muttered, “and now I 
shall be successful in winning Mrs. Griffin. Then 
I shall have nothing to fear in that quarter.” 

Poor Mrs. Griffin! Her lot was hard enough 
before, but now it was to be almost beyond bear- 
ing. Her husband missing for ten years, and now 
her promising son and daughter also gone! 


ON LAND AND SEA, 


67 


CHAPTER X. 

JAMES IS SET ASHORE. 

When James Griffin regained consciousness he 
felt he was on board a vessel, and he also realized 
that the vessel was going out to sea. He opened his 
eyes and saw a sailor sitting in the stateroom. It 
was night and a lamp swung from the cabin ceiling. 

'‘Hello, lad!’' called out a rough but kindly 
voice; “come around all right, didn’t you?” 

“Yes, I’m alive, but I feel tired,” answered 
James. 

“No wonder,” returned the man. “You must 
have had a long swim.” 

“That I did, and I am indebted to you for my 
life. Are you the captain?” 

“Yes, my lad — Captain Strong of the Mary Jane 
of San Francisco, on my way down the coast.” 

“How far out are you, Captain?” asked our hero. 

“Just out the Gate, my boy.” 


63 


JAMES GRIFFIN’S ADVENTURES 


“Captain, you have been very kind to me, but 
I must ask you a favor — I must get ashore as soon 
as possible.” 

“I thought that would be your first wish. I 
suppose your folks will be worrying over your ab- 
sence.” 

“Worse than that. Captain. They’ll think I am 
drowned — they think so now. Yes, Captain, I 
must get ashore as soon as possible,” and James 
got out of bed and asked for his clothes, which 
were being dried. 

“All right, my boy. I’ll let you off a few miles 
down and you can get back to the city by to- 
morrow. I’ll do what I can for you.” And the cap- 
tain smiled cheerfully. 

“Thank you. Captain. My name is James 
Griffin. My father’s name was Emil Griffin. He 
was lost at sea ten years ago. Perhaps, if you are 
well acquainted in San Francisco, you may have 
heard of him. He owned a number of vessels.” 

“Why, certainly, my boy. I’ve met your father, 
too. He was a fine gentleman. And so you are 
his son?” 


ON LAND AND SEA. 


“Yes, sir. Do you know Captain Hardy?” asked 
James. “He is my uncle and was a partner of my 
father.” 

“I’ve heard of him,” said the captain, but with 
not so pleased a manner. 

James saw that his uncle’s reputation was not 
of the highest, and in a few words he related to 
Captain Strong the events of the day. 

The captain’s brow darkened at the villainous 
acts of Captain Hardy and his partner. Captain 
Hines. 

“What you tell me is not surprising,” returned 
the captain. “I’ve heard many strange stories 
about him. He’s lately lost several vessels, but 
they were all heavily insured. The insurance 
companies made a big fight on two of them, as 
the testimony of the sailors showed that they were 
lost under peculiar circumstances. But he’s a 
worse villain than I supposed. Don’t you worry, 
lad, he’ll come to the end of his rope some day, 
and at the rate he’s going, the day cannot be far 
distant. There’s no doubt in my mind that he has 
swindled your mother shamefully, for your father 


70 


JAMES GRlFFIN^S ADVENTURES 


was counted rich and a very conservative business 
man. Well, my boy, I’m mighty glad it was my 
boat ran across you instead of the Essex, or by 
this time you’d have been pretty well out to sea on 
your way to the South Sea Islands.” 

‘'I shall remember your kindness, Captain 
Strong, and if opportunity presents, repay you,” 
answered James. 

‘‘Thank you, my lad, but what I did was only 
my duty to a human being. I’d be a nice man, 
indeed, if I did otherwise.” 

“May God bless you. Captain, as He has me. 
I think that so long* as I do my duty He will always 
watch over me,” returned James. 

“Well, now, my lad, you had better take a good 
hot drink and eat a little. It’ll do you good, and 
strengthen you up wonderfully.” 

“Thank you. Captain. I think it would do me 
a world of good.” 

James was soorudrinking a cup of hot tea and 
eating a lunch, after which he felt like a new person. 

James and the captain now went on deck and 
found the vessel making great headway. A fine 


ON LAND AND SEA. 


71 


freeze was blowing and the lights from shore were 
growing dim. 

“When we get down the coast a ways I’ll lower 
a boat and put you ashore. I now want to get the 
benefit of this breeze,” said the captain. 

So on sailed the vessel, and James felt restless 
at the thought that he was rapidly leaving home, 
when he so much desired to get back to the city. 

“Just as I thought,” soon said the captain, “the 
wind is going down rapidly. Well, it will give me 
a good chance to put you ashore.” 

James was delighted at the prospect. In half 
an hour the vessel was quite near shore, a boat was 
lowered and four lusty seamen soon landed James 
on the beach. They had made a landing where 
a light had been seen, and James was confident 
that he would readily find lodging for the night. 

In parting from the captain, James again ex- 
pressed his gratitude and thanks, and with a hearty 
wish for his safe return home, the good captain 
gave the order to row back to the vessel, whose 
lights plainly showed her position. 


72 


JAMES GRIFFIN^S ADVENTURES 


James found a path that led him to a cottage 
some distance from the sea. He soon reached the 
house, led by a light from a window. 

Rapping loudly at the door, an old woman asked 
him what was wanted, but she made no movement 
to unlock the door. 

James told her how he had been picked up by 
a vessel and that they had just landed him here, 
so that he could get back to San Francisco the 
next day. 

‘‘This is no lodging house,” said the voice 
sharply, “and it’s no time of night to be letting 
strangers in, either. You had better go away.” 

“Where can I find a place to stay over night?” 
asked James. 

“There are several places around here, but I 
don’t know as you could find them,” replied the 
voice. 

“Cannot you let me in for to-night? My name 
is James Grifhn^ and I will pay you for your 
trouble. My uncle’s name is Captain Hardy of 
San Francisco.” 

“Your uncle Captain Hardy,” she exclaimed, as 


ON LAND AND SEA. 


73 


she turned the key and opened the door. ‘Why, 
come right in. How curious! This place belongs 
to Captain Hardy and I shall be glad to do him 
a favor. He lets me live here free to look after 
the house/’ and she gave James a chair and volun- 
teered to get him some supper. 

“Thank you, but I have just eaten, madam,’’ 
returned James. “All that I desire is a bed for 
to-night, for I am very tired and sleepy, and early 
in the morning I shall have to hurry back 
home.” 

“All right, Mr. Griffin,” answered the old wom- 
an, who looked pleasantly enough, in strange con- 
trast to her previous harsh manner. “I’ll get you 
a bed ready at once,” and off she went upstairs. 

James sat thoughtful before the fire, as it was 
chilly outside, and wondered at the strange chance 
that had brought him to his uncle’s home at such 
a distance. But it made him feel more contented^ 
even though he disliked Captain Hardy. He knew 
he would be well treated by his hostess, and so his 
mind was at rest. 


74 


JAMES GRIFFIN^S ADVENTURES 


Presently the old woman returned, and offered 
to conduct James to his chamber. It was a cosy 
room overlooking the sea, and saying good-night 
to the woman and offering a prayer for his safety, 
he was soon sound asleep. 


ON LAND AND SEA. 


75 


CHAPTER XL 

BROTHER AND SISTER MEET. 

When Helen recovered consciousness early in 
the morning, she found herself lying on a bunk in 
a lighted cabin. For a moment she could not but 
think she was in a dream. Then she thought of 
her mother, then of James, and then her mind 
quickly reverted to all the events of the day, and 
to her present situation. She looked about, and 
there was the same steward she had seen and 
spoken to in the afternoon when in search of James. 

Helen immediately appealed to him for protec- 
tion, but the steward might just as well have been 
deaf, for he paid little attention to her. 

“Oh, sir! please help me to get back to shore. 
My poor mother! What will she think if I do 
not come home! Oh, sir, they are carrying me 
away, perhaps to kill me! Can you stand by and 
see such crimes committed and not lift a hand in 


76 


JAMES GRIFFIN^S ADVENTURES 


a poor girl’s defense? Have you not a daughter?’^ 

‘‘Come, girl, do not take on so. No harm is 
meant you. The capt’n is just goin’ to take you 
down shore a bit to your uncle’s cottage and let 
you ofif there. It’ll do you good.” 

‘T don’t want to go, and I won’t!” answered 
Helen, determinedly. ‘‘He has no right to take 
me away!” And she ran out of the door and up 
the steps. 

The steward gave chase, but Helen was by the 
captain’s side before she was seen. The captain 
was busy getting the vessel in order, and was near- 
ing shore, and ready to lower a boat to put Helen 
on land, in charge of the old woman who was car- 
ing for Captain Hardy’s cottage. 

As she reached the group of men at work she 
made a frantic outcry and appeal. 

“Oh, dear sirs, do not let me be taken away by 
Captain Hines! Do not let him murder me as he 
has my broth^! He has no right to carry me 
away by force! Oh, save me! save me!” And she 
looked appealingly from one to another. 

Captain Hines heard her appeal, and was greatly 


ON LAND AND SEA. 


77 


surprised, as he had given orders to keep her con- 
fined until ready to land. 

He hurried to where she was standing in terror 
and anguish, and took her roughly by the arm. 

She uttered a cry of pain, and in her desperation 
made a frantic attack on the captain. 

The steward then came up and grabbed her arms 
from behind, and bore her back to the cabin, where 
Helen wept bitter tears over James' death, her 
mother's misfortune and her own perilous position. 
She was almost in despair over her troubles and 
anxieties. 

Could greater misfortunes ever come to a fam- 
ily? Father missing for ten years, son drowned, 
daughter kidnapped, mother at home in despair! 
Truly it was a time to ask for help and guidance 
from God. 

Helen's eyes were now swollen with weeping, 
her red lips quivered convulsively, and she vainly 
endeavored to think what the future had in store 
for her. 

Finally she felt the vessel riding on the long 
swells, and soon the captain made hfs appearance 


78 


JAMES GRIFFIN’S ADVENTURES 


and told her that she should come on deck and 
that he was about to put her ashore. 

“Where are we?” asked Helen. 

“Never mind where we are, Miss. We’re going 
to land you here, where you can spend a few 
weeks for the benefit of your health. Your new 
father will care for you then.” And Captain Hines 
laughed brutally. 

“What do you mean. Captain Hines?” demanded 
Helen. 

“I mean that Captain Hardy had you sent here 
so that he could make love to your mother with- 
out your interference. Now, do you see what you 
have brought on yourself?” 

“My mother will never marry him!” answered 
Helen. 

“Leave that to Captain Hardy.” 

Not caring to further discuss such a question 
with Captain Hines, Helen remained silent, and ac- 
companied hinrbn deck. She was quickly lowered 
into the boat and in a few minutes the keel of the 
yawl grated on the shore. 


ON LAND AND SEA. 


79 


Captain Hines told the men to remain there, and 
then he ordered Helen to follow him. 

They went up the same path that James had 
gone a few hours before. 

James had just got dressed, and glancing out of 
the window he saw the vessel at anchor. At first 
he thought it was the Mary Jane, on which he had 
come, but a closer inspection showed it was 
another vessel. 

“Good heavens!” suddenly muttered James, “it 
looks like the Essex! What can she be doing 
here?” 

Just then he saw Captain Hines come up the 
path toward the house. Following him was a 
young lady. 

“It’s Helen, as sure as I live!” he exclaimed. 
“What chance has brought them here, for they 
surely do not know of my presence.” 

“How sad she looks,” said James. “What does 
it mean, anyway? I must go down to the stair 
door and see what is up.” And James quietly went 
down and took a position where he could hear 
what was said. 


80 


JAMES GRIFFIN’S ADVENTURES 


The captain went to the door and rapped loudly. 
The old lady asked the cause of the visit. 

‘T am Captain Hines, and was sent here with 
this young lady by Captain Hardy. He wants you 
to take care of her. He will call and get her in 
a few weeks, and pay you well for your trouble/' 

‘T shall be pleased to be of service to Captain 
Hardy. He has been kind to me. Fll take care 
of her all right. Are you related to him?" she 
asked, turning to Helen. 

‘‘He's my uncle," answered Helen. 

“And will soon be her stepfather," continued 
Captain Hines. “He's to marry her mother, and he 
wishes her to stay here until the ceremony is per- 
formed." 

“My mother will never marry him!" said Helen 
determinedly. “Not even the price of my liberty 
would induce her to do so." 

The woman turned on her cold look, and Helen 
quickly saw that she would get no sympathy or 
help from that^urce. 

The captain asked the old woman outside and 













•%wiikiMwi 








^<\v; 


—Ullu-- 
■ '"»Wl1IWIImim. 










JAMES!” WAS ALE HELEN COULH SAY, AS SHE EMBRACED HER BROTHER.-5« 5/ 



ON LAND AND SEA. 


81 


gave some instructions in a low voice, and was 
about to depart, when she remarked: 

“It's strange. Captain Hines, that I also have 
another relation of Captain Hardy here. A young 
man, I forget his name, but he says Captain Hardy 
is his uncle." 

“What!" was all Captain Hines could say, and his 
face turned pale. “No, it cannot be — where is he?" 

“Oh, it’s James!" exclaimed Helen, who had 
heard the last words of the two, “it must be James! 
Oh, James, where are you? They say you are 
here!" 

James Griffin had intended to remain quiet and 
let Captain Hines depart, but now he saw that his 
presence was known. So when he heard the call 
of his sister he quickly opened the door and burst 
in upon the astounded Captain Hines, who had just 
re-entered the room. 

“James!" was all Helen could say, as she reached 
out her arms and lovingly embraced her brother. 

“You here?" gasped the captain, as the cold per- 
spiration broke out on him in his agony of mind. 

“Yes, Captain Hines, I am here!" cried James 


82 


JAMES GRIFFIWS ADVENTURES 


Griffin, ‘Notwithstanding all your plans to do away 
with me!’’ 

“How did you escape? We saw you sink and 
yet you’re here!” cried the astonished commander. 

Helen was beside herself with joy. A moment 
before, everything looked black and desolate, but 
now all was again sunshine and brightness. 

Helen clung to her brother’s arms for protec- 
tion, and James, looking defiantly at the captain, 
said solemnly: 

“Captain Hines, my presence here when you 
thought that I was dead should be a warning to 
you! All your wicked plans have failed, as they 
will continue to fail if you persist in your present 
course. Captain Hines, I hold no enmity toward 
you, and if you will promise to let us go and make 
no further efforts to molest us, I will promise to 
forgive you and say nothing of what has happened. 
Do as I say. Captain Hines, or as sure as there 
is a God abovejis, you will repent of your actions! 
We wish to depart in peace and return home.” And 
James Griffin and his sister Helen went out the 
open door. 


ON LAND AND SEA, 


83 


CHAPTER XIL 

JAMES OFF TO SEA. 

Captain Hines stood still a moment in wonder 
to see James alive and well, and not only going 
away from him, but taking Helen along. For the 
time, he was stunned. Finally recovering himself, 
he muttured: 

‘‘Nice talk that, but it doesn’t go with me.” 

Then, rushing outdoors, he shouted: 

“Young man, look here! That girl must stay 
here, and you must go with me.” And the captain 
halloed to his men and started after our young 
friends. 

James suddenly turned on him like a lion. 
Though the captain was strong and a big, heavy 
man, he was no match for the great quickness and 
science of James Griffin. In a moment the cap- 
tain was on the ground, and James stood menac- 
ingly over the prostrate and burly form. 


84 


JAMES GRIFFIN’S ADVENTURES 


“I ought to kill such a viper as you,” said James, 
“and I hardly know why I do not. You are bent 
on my destruction, but I shall warn you no more! 
Helen, quick, get some rope so that I can bind the 
captain.” 

Helen ran to the side of the door where she had 
seen a coil of rope, and brought it to her brother. 
James quickly tied the captain, though he made 
an effort to get up, and threatened the young man 
with eternal destruction. 

James had hardly completed his job, before the 
two sailors who had accompanied the captain 
ashore, made a rush toward him. One of them, 
when he saw James, thought it was a ghost, and 
was about to run, but the other saw it was flesh and 
blood before him, and made an attack. James 
fought desperately, and might have conquered the 
the sailor, too, had not the other taken courage, 
and, urged on by the captain, made a rush for our 
hero. 

Two big sailors against a young man was an 
unequal contest, and James soon found himself on 
his back and his arms pinioned. 


ON LAND AND SEA. 


85 


The old woman and Helen, in the meantime, 
were also having a desperate struggle. 

Helen’s antagonist was endeavoring to cut the 
rope binding Captain Hines, and Helen fought with 
all her strength to prevent her. The old woman 
had a knife in her hand, and threatened to cut 
Helen’s fingers ofif if she persisted in holding her. 
Thus she managed to cut the rope that bound Cap- 
tain Hines, and he then, too, came to the prostrate 
form of James. 

''Bind him, men, bind him!” he shouted in a 
rage. "We’ve got you now. Master Griffin, and 
I’ll see that you do not again escape, you young 
demon!” 

"You may bind me, and you may put me in 
irons. Captain Hines, but your best laid plans will 
come to naught. I shall defeat you every time!” 
returned James between his quick breaths. 

"We’ll see what I’ll do with you, you viper! You 
shall go with me immediately on board ship, and in 
a couple of hours we shall be out of sight of land. 
Then let us see if you can again escape.” 

"You have captured me this time, but my turn 


86 


JAMES GRIFFIN’S ADVENTURES 


will come again,” returned James with spirit. 
“You put your trust in Captain Hardy and I shall 
put mine in God! We shall see who will triumph 
at last! Mark what I tell you, you will hang or 
come to an untimely end!” 

The words had an effect on the cowardly cap- 
tain, but he ground his teeth and ordered the 
men to carry James to the boat, while he and the 
old woman compelled Helen to re-enter the house, 
where she was locked in an upper room. 

Helen had spoken cheerfully to James. She told 
him to have a brave heart and to bear up under 
his coming troubles, and that he would be home 
again soon. 

“So I shall, Helen. Good-bye. Tell mother I 
shall yet come home. Do not worry.” And then 
he was carried bodily to the boat, placed on the 
bottom, and as soon as the captain joined them, 
the boat was pushed out and once again James 
Griffin was oiWboard the Essex, and this time 
bound for the South Sea Islands. 


ON LAND AND SEA. 


87 


CHAPTER XIIL 

HELEN MAKES HER ESCAPE. 

For a few moments Helen was inclined to de- 
spair. She and James were so near to getting 
away and then to be caught again! But she 
realized that it was a time for action, and not for 
tears. So she dried her eyes and began to look 
about her. The room was on the other side of 
the house than that which had been occupied by 
James, so she could see nothing of the vessel or the 
water. She was determined not to stay in that 
house a prisoner. 

''We shall see whether this old woman can keep 
me here against my will!'’ she exclaimed. 

Helen was a great deal like her brave brother, 
and when in trouble immediately began to look 
about to remedy matters. 

"The air is bad in here,” she said; "but all the 
windows seem to be fastened. Well, I’ll just knock 


88 


JAMES GRI FEINTS ADVENTURES 


out a few panes of glass,” and she immediately did 
so. She put her head out to take a look around, 
but there wasn’t much to be seen. 

‘‘I must get back to mother to-day at all events!” 
muttered Helen. ‘‘She will be in such distress 
at my absence that she may even consent to marry 
Captain Hardy to have me returned. That bad 
man must be outwitted. Mother abhors him, I 
know, but in her distress of mind, she may con- 
sent to anything. Now, I am sure that father is 
alive — I seem to feel it — and it would be simply 
awful for him to return and find mother married 
again. No, it must not be!” And Helen arose from 
her seat and again looked out of the window. 

“It is too high to jump down — I might break my 
neck or suffer some injury. I must make a rope 
out of the sheets on the bed and let myself down. 
I can easily slip away and may get back to San 
Francisco this afternoon!” And Helen immediately 
began to tear the sheets into pieces wide enough 
to hold her weigfih Taking two of each, she wound 
them together like a rope, tied one end to the bed. 
and prepared to get out of the window. 


ON LAND AND SEA, 


89 


Just then the woman appeared, and as she saw 
the unmistakable preparations for the girFs escape, 
she cried out: 

‘'What do you mean, girl? Trying to escape, 
eh? Don’t you try any of those tricks on me!” 

Helen looked at the hard features of the woman 
and mentally measured her strength, which was 
perhaps equal to her own, though the old woman 
was not so quick, and then she determined to make 
an appeal to her. 

“Do you know that Captain Hardy has no right 
to bring me here? He has done so against my will, 
so that he can force my mother to marry him. I 
appeal to you as a woman to let me go, so that I 
can return home!” 

“It is my interest to serve Captain Hardy. He 
has been kind to me, and I am sure he will make 
a good father for you.” 

“But I have a father living, though he has been 
missing many years. He will come back some 
day.” 

“I know nothing about your affairs. Miss. Cap- 
tain Hardy wants me to keep you here, and here 


90 JAMES GRIFFIN’S ADVENTURES 

you must stay. Give me those pieces of sheets.” 
And the woman approached Helen to take them. 

Helen refused to give them up, and a struggle 
followed. Each had hold of an end and they began 
to pull each other all over the room. 

Suddenly Helen saw the open door, and quickly 
formed a plan to run out that way. She gradually 
worked around toward the door, and then suddenly 
letting go her end, the old woman fell heavily back 
on the floor and Helen darted out. Downstairs 
she ran and out of the house, and in a flash she was 
running at full speed toward the beach. 

The old woman hastily arose from her fall and 
limpingly started in pursuit. Helen soon heard her 
shrill cries to stop, but it only hastened her actions, 
if that were possible. 

Helen’s idea was to find a boat and at all hazards 
get back to the city. She was a good sailor, as she 
had often sailed with James, and he had taught 
her all the methods of trimming the sails, coming 
about, tacking, etc. She was only too eager to 
have an opportunity to try her ability in that line. 


ON LAND AND SEA, 


91 


There was no boat in sight. Out on the broad ex- 
panse of water she saw the Essex sailing away 
with her brother James on board. It made her 
sick and faint, and only for the old woman being 
in pursuit, she would have sat down and given vent 
to her grief. 

'‘Come back, girl! Come back!'’ shrieked the 
voice of her pursuer. "It'll be the worse for you 
if you do not!" 

But Helen heeded her not. She preferred to 
follow the shore, so long as she was nearing home. 
The old woman could not make much headway, 
and her cries were soon lost in the distance. 

She evidently feared the displeasure of Captain 
Hardy. Perhaps he might turn her out of the 
house for her lack of vigilance. 

On, on, Helen ran, with a determined and set 
face, and finally, half a mile up the shore, she saw 
a number of fishermen's boats on the beach. 

She never stopped to consider who owned them 
or what inconvenience it would put the owner to 
if she took one of them. She must get back to 
the city, regardless of consequences! 


92 


JAMES GRIFFIN’S ADVENTURES 


So she quickly untied and shoved one of the 
boats into the water, rowed out a distance, then 
set her sail, and she was soon nearing home. How 
glad she was! All her distress of mind seemed to 
leave her at once! 

On, on she sailed, and soon her starting-place 
was lost to view. 

It was now about noon, and Helen felt thirsty 
and hungry. She looked about the boat and saw 
a jug in the bow. She tied the rudder, and went 
forward to see what it contained. It was water, 
and appearing all right, she took a long draught. 

The wind now began to freshen, and off in the 
distance Helen saw dark clouds come rolling up 
out of the water on the horizon. A storm was evi- 
dently coming. She ran her boat up into the wind, 
and the spray began to dash over her, wetting her 
through and through. 

Her fears now rose, and she wondered how she 
was to reach honie or shore. To go ashore would 
be impossible, as the waves were now running high. 
As the wind increased, so did her terror. It was 
a trying time, indeed! Helen soon saw that her 





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ON LAND AND SEA. 


93 


boat could not long live in such a storm, and she 
offered a silent prayer for protection. 

“Oh, must I die now, when all seemed so 
bright?” she asked herself. “Oh, no, it cannot be! 
There must be some way of escaping from this 
perilous position. Oh, Captain Hardy, what 
trouble you have brought to our family! How 
much longer are you to continue in your base 
work!” 

Suddenly Helen saw a tremendous wave rushing 
toward her boat, and then she felt the frail craft 
being raised in the air and turned over, and found 
herself clinging to the boat’s keel. Another wave 
nearly washed her off, but she clung on. 

Scanning the ocean in her terror, she saw a vessel 
sailing toward her. The ship was coming bows on, 
but she could not see if her presence was known. 
Helen was encouraged, however, to hang on with 
all her strength, and her hopes again rose high. 

In a few minutes the ship was to windward of 
her and she ran up into the wind. She saw the 
men waving to her, and a boat being lowered. 


94 


JAMES GRIFFIN^S ADVENTURES 


Helen uttered a faint cry of relief and almost 
lost her grasp on the overturned boat. She felt 
that she could not hold out much longer, and was 
barely conscious that she was grasped in a strong 
man's hands when her reason left her. 


ON LAND AND SEA. 


95 


CHAPTER XIV. 

JAMES^ LIFE ON BOARD SHIP. 

Captain Hines was quite jubilant as he saw the 
yawl boat gradually nearing the vessel. He con- 
sidered himself very fortunate indeed in having 
overhauled his former passenger. A fair breeze 
was blowing offland, and as the Essex was reached, 
he ordered one of the men to cut the rope binding 
James’ arms and legs. 

‘Tf he should conclude to jump overboard now, 
he can do so,” muttered Hines. ‘‘He could never 
reach shore anyway.” 

Captain Hines looked curiously at James as he 
arose and took a seat. 

“Well, Master Griffin, we’re going to sea, and 
so you may as well make the best of it. If you 
behave yourself there’ll be no trouble, and you’ll 
have a good time.” 

James did not answer. 


96 TAMES GRIFFIN’S ADVENTURES 

The boat had now reached the vessel’s side, and 
w'as soon hauled aboard. 

Now lively, men, and let us get away from this 
coast as fast as we can.” 

“Master Griffin, come with me in the cabin, and 
let me show you your room,” said Captain Hines. 

You can take the stateroom next to mine, and 
make yourself comfortable. You’ll have nothing 
to do particular, except to study navigation, so 
that when you become a man you’ll be able to be 
a captain, too. We’ll get along splendidly, we 
will,” said Hines, in an evident effort to be on good 
terms with James. 

James was not yet in a mood to be good-natured, 
or talk, so he kept silent and entered his stateroom. 
One of the first things he saw was a Targe trunk, 
bearing this inscription: 


jAiois GBirrrN. 

BOARD 

TKEJ ESSEX. 















CAPT. HARDY E^VIDENTDY INTENDS THAT I SHADE NOT WANT FOR MEANS OF AMUSING MYSEDP" 

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ON LAND AND SEA. 


97 


James was surprised. Where did it come from? 
Had his uncle sent it? 

Captain Hardy had really sent it on board in a 
boat right after he had boarded the vessel, so sure 
was he that Captain Hines would come to his 
terms. Hardy wanted to seem very considerate for 
James’ welfare so as to lessen that young man’s 
anger at being taken so violently from home. He 
had filled the trunk with just such articles as he 
knew would delight that young man’s heart. 
James admitted, after examining the contents, that 
he himself could not have chosen better. 

‘Well, it is evidently for me, so I’ll take the 
liberty of looking inside.” 

The key was in the lock. This he turned, and 
then unfastened the straps and catches. Lifting 
the lid he saw a note, which read as follows: 

May 12, 1891. 

Dear James: — I hope that you will find many little things 
in this trunk that will please you. I have been very careful to 
consider your every want and comfort, and I have also put in 
many little articles that will give you pleasure during your 
long trip. I hope you will look at the matter sensibly and not 
allow your anger to override your good reason. I have your 


JAMES GRIFFIN’S ADVENTURES 


interest at heart, and, as your guardian, claim the right over 
your mother of seeing that you are properly brought up. With 
best wishes for a pleasant trip, I remain very truly. 

Your uncle and guardian, 

CAPT. JOHN HARDY. 

'‘The hypocrite!’’ exclaimed James. "But it’s 
no use to sit and mope over misfortunes. Under 
ordinary circumstances I wouldn’t mind this at all, 
but being carried ofif the way I was, is something 
I do not relish. Well, never mind. Let’s see 
what’s in the trunk,” added James philosophically. 

James first saw a large assortment of light 
clothes, toilet articles, etc. After these were taken 
out he came to a box of medicines, a lot of electri- 
cal appliances, wires, a medical battery, and many 
things the captain had seen him use in his enter- 
tainments. There was also a camera and a lot of 
plates and a fine outfit for developing, printing, 
etc., a field glass and a magic lantern with a lot of 
slides, and a roll of colored paper. Then came a 
gramaphone, and a lot of fireworks — enough for an 
evening’s entertainment. There were also several 
books, mostly of a scientific nature. 

"Captain Hardy evidently intends that I shall 


ON LAND AND SEA. 


99 


not want for means of amusing* myself/’ said 
James, smilingly surveying the contents of the 
trunk and well pleased with what he saw. '‘And 
he expects me to live long enough to celebrate the 
Fourth of July, anyway. Well, that is encour- 
aging.” 

After looking over all the things he put them 
back, and locked the trunk. 

"Fm in for it,” said James, when he was through, 
"so I might as well put a cheerful face on matters, 
and look out for myself. Fll not let Hines throw 
me overboard, at any rate. Fll keep a sharp look- 
out and stay with the crowd. I know he wants 
to get rid of me, but I am sure he is too cowardly 
to do so himself. Fll get on good terms with the 
crew, and learn what I can. They’ll never see me 
with my head hanging down, that is sure. Besides 
Fll see if I cannot get a little fun out of my trip. 
vSailors are superstitious, and I think some of my 
tricks will help me along wonderfully. Wait till 
I scare the life out of Hines, and it’s lucky he 
doesn’t know what I have in this trunk.” And James 


V L.o? c. 


100 


JAMES GRIFFIN’S ADVENTURES 


could not help smiling in anticipation of the things 
he was going to do. 

Thus James spent the day all by himself, plan- 
ning for the future, thinking of home and his 
friends. He practiced for a time on ventriloquism, 
so as not to get rusty. To be a successful ventrilo- 
quist, the learner must study at all times to imitate 
sounds, not as they are heard at their source, but 
as they fall upon the ear after traveling from a dis- 
tance. That is the golden rule of ventriloquism; 
and, if it is continually kept in mind, success is 
certain. As conjurors endeavor to deceive the eye, 
so ventriloquists try to deceive the ear. The “dis- 
tance voice” originates at that spot in the throat 
where the “cluck” takes place when drinking, so, 
without any facial contortions or movements of the 
lips, words must be forced against the back part of 
the palate one by one, with a series of shoil, quick 
breaths, at the same time strengthening the sounds 
by using the muscles of the stomach, which will 
give them increased power, so that they will reach 
the audience clear and distinct. The farther off the 
sound is supposed to be, the smaller the quantity 


ON LAND AND SEA. 


101 


of breath must be expired. The great fault with 
beginners is straining after effect. No sooner do 
they make a little headway and begin to feel their 
feet, than they want to run, a proceeding which 
will bring their endeavors to a dismal failure. 

As evening came, James ate lightly and silently 
with Captain Hines, and retired early. With plans 
for the future forming in his mind, he went to 
sleep. 

Bright and early in the morning he was on deck, 
and cheerfully greeted each and every one of the 
men. He had already taken a lesson in navigation 
before Captain Hines appeared. The men soon 
liked his cheerful ways and his desire to learn. 
They began to talk with him about various subjects 
and were surprised to find him so well informed. 
They imagined that a young city chap could not 
know much, if anything, about foreign countries 
and foreign people, and tides and winds, etc., but 
he showed them that he not only knew about such 
matters, but had a better understanding than they. 

They began to ask him questions, especially con- 
cerning tidal waves. Their craft had encountered 


102 


JAMES GRIFFIN'S ADVENTURES 


one on its last trip and no one seemed to know 
much about them. Their boat was floating upon 
the easy swelling of the surface, giving a graceful 
roll to their ship, when they suddenly saw in the 
distance a ridge of water that advanced with gran- 
deur, silently, menacingly and swiftly, toward them. 

Nearer and nearer it came, rearing its apparently 
endless curve higher and higher. Like a prairie 
fire, there was no place to flee from before its face, 
and they had not long to wait in suspense. Sud- 
denly it was upon the boat, which rose up like 
a bird, then hurled forward, backward, downward, 
as if she would never again regain her normal 
keel, while the crew hung desperately to whatever 
holding-places they were able to reach. Luckily 
the boat was rightly situated to take the wave, or 
it would have been doomed, and another disaster 
placed to the credit of the sea. 

‘‘As yet,’' said James, “there is considerable 
doubt as to th^ cause of these irregular waves. 
They cannot be classed with the regular tides, 
those mysterious indispensable swellings of the 
waters following the pull of the moon, that rolls 


ON LAND AND SEA, 


103 


around this globe of ours twice in every twenty- 
four hours, stemming the outflow of mighty rivers, 
penetrating far inland wherever access is available, 
and doing with its short lease of life an amount of 
beneficent and gratuitous work that would, if it 
had to be paid for, wreck the wealthiest men or 
country in the world. Some claim that these mar- 
velous upliftings of the sea bosom are not tidal 
waves at all — that they do not belong to that nor- 
mal ebb and flow of the ocean that owes its sway to 
the moon. If it was so, they would be met with 
more frequently than they are. To prove that tidal 
waves are not caused by the moon, I may mention 
that small islands, like St. Helena, Tristan da 
Cunha, and Ascension, are visited occasionally by 
a succession of appalling waves that deal havoc 
among the small shipping, and when they come 
in, appear as though they might overwhelm the 
whole land. They are undoubtedly due to cosmic 
disturbances, to submarine earthquakes, which, 
upheaving the ocean beds, cause so vast a displace- 
ment of water that these stupendous waves re- 
sult.” 


104 


JAMES GRIFFIN’S ADVENTURES 


James discoursed on all subjects that arose, and 
thus the days passed; and when he thought 
that his reputation for being a model young man 
was firmly established, he began to try his hand at 
ventriloquism and rigged up some of his electrical 
apparatus. 

It wasn’t long before the report was general that 
the ship was haunted. 

Captain Hines was unable to sleep at night. The 
sights and sounds he had heard terrified him almost 
beyond endurance. 


ON LAND AND SEA. 


105 


CHAPTER XV. 

MRS. griffin’s grief. 

Mrs. Griffin sat in her cosy sitting-room in great 
trouble and deep in thought when Joe Farrell rang 
the bell. She hastily went to the door, and imme- 
diately asked about James and Helen. 

“Helen is down by the boat house. She wanted 
to remain a while. She is in deep sorrow.” 

“And James? Oh, have they really carried him 
off to sea, Mr. Farrell?” 

“James was on board the Essex, but not for 
long. At the first opportunity he jumped over- 
board.” 

“And where is he now?” asked the anxious 
mother. 

“Mrs. Griffin,” said Joe, with bowed head, “I 
am afraid he has been drowned.” 

“Drowned! James drowned!” she exclaimed in 
despair. “Oh, Mr. Farrell, it cannot be! He must 


106 


JAMES GRIFFIN’S ADVENTURES 


have swam ashore. He was such a splendid swim- 
mer.” 

“The men on board said they saw him sink be- 
fore their eyes, and nothing was seen of him for 
half an hour. Come, Mrs. Griffin, bear up. Re- 
member, though we do not understand God’s ways, 
we must bear up with humility under all that He 
does. We must all die some day.” 

Good old Joe hardly knew what to say to con- 
sole the poor mother in her great grief. 

“Come, Mrs. Griffin, let us go down to where 
Helen is. She needs consolation in her great 
grief,” said Joe. 

Mrs. Griffin hurriedly got ready, and the two 
hastily left the house to repair to where Joe had 
left Helen. 

“Where is she, Mr. Farrell?” asked the mother 
anxiously. 

“I left her sitting here by the boat. My God — !” 
Just then Joe sawL^-the overturned boat and no sign 
of Helen. His heart went to his throat, as he 
instinctively connected the overturned boat with 
her disappearance. 


ON LAND AND SEA. 


107 


Mrs. Griffin heard his cry and again exclaimed: 

"'Where is Helen?’’ and she looked anxiously up 
and down the water. 

A short distance away she saw a man standing. 
It was Captain Hardy. She paid no attention to 
him. Her whole thoughts were at that moment 
centered on Helen. She called her name, low at 
first, but receiving no answer, she raised her voice 
so that it could be heard a great distance. 

Captain Hardy turned around and looked at her. 

"Helen! Helen!” she cried, in an agony of mind. 

Then she saw Joe pick up Helen’s apron, and 
her mind was all in a whirl. 

"It’s Helen’s!” she exclaimed. 

Joe was mute with wonder and despair! He 
could only point to the overturned boat. To him 
it told the whole story. 

"Oh, my God! Helen, too, gone! Dead! 
Drowned! Oh, Helen! Oh, James! Oh, my 
dear husband! Has the sea claimed you all!” 

Joe finally ventured to say that Helen must have 
got into the boat to again search for James, and 
in her despair overturned the boat and drowned. 


108 


JAMES GRIFFIN’S ADVENTURES 


Mrs. Griffin was stunned. Joe was unable to 
witness her agony, and said he would look further 
along the shore. 

Suddenly Mrs. Griffin heard a step, and turning 
around as if in an unwelcome presence, she beheld 
Captain Hardy. 

She turned from him as though he were a snake. 

“Mrs. Griffin, let me speak to you!” said the 
captain eagerly. 

“I do not wish to see you! You have caused 
James’ death, and through that, Helen’s also! Oh, 
monster, you will have much to pay for. Leave 
me! Leave me!” 

“Listen to me, Mrs. Griffin. It is true that 
Janies is drowned. But it was an unfortunate ac- 
cident. I wished to let him see something of the 
world, and by his refusing to carry out the wishes 
of his guardian he met his death. But as to Helen, 
she is not dead!” 

“Not dead? --_Not drowned? Oh, Captain 
Hardy, where is Helen?” and Mrs. Griffin looked 
appealingly to her enemy. 

“Mrs. Griffin, it is as I said. Helen is alive and 


ON LAND AND SEA. 


109 


well and it depends upon you how long she will 
be away. Mrs. Griffin, Annie — listen to me. I 
have taken harsh measures, I admit — but forgive 
me. As soon as you become my wife she will be 
restored to you well and happy. Come, Annie, be 
reasonable and sensible. Your husband has long 
been dead, and your hope for him to return is all 
in vain.” 

^'Captain Hardy, what you say is infamous! 
How dare you act in such a high-handed manner! 
I shall have you arrested and the whole city shall 
know of your shameful conduct!” cried Mrs. 
Griffin in great indignation. 

''Not so fast, Mrs. Griffin, you must remember 
that I am well able to fight you in the courts. 
You have no money to prosecute a suit of such a 
nature. Listen to what I say. If you make any 
fight against me you will never see Helen’s face 
again!” 

Mrs. Griffin covered her face in great agony, as 
the extreme hopelessness of her position came to 
her mind. 

"Remember, Mrs. Griffin, you can have Helen 


110 JAMES GRIFFIN^S ADVENTURES 

returned to your home whenever you come to my 
terms.” And with these words Captain Hardy de- 
parted. 

Mrs. Griffin was in despair. The world seemed 
more dark and dreary than it had ever appeared 
before. 

‘What shall I do! What shall I do!” was all 


she could moan. 


ON LAND AND SEA. 


Ill 


CHAPTER XVI. 

THE MYSTERIOUS VOICE. 

Once out to sea, Captain Hines became ugly to 
his men, and without apparent reason gave them 
many blows. 

One night a gale sprang up and James was at 
the wheel, as he voluntarily shared the work with 
the others. All hands were set at work reefing 
the topsails. The men were manning the halyards 
to hoist away, when one poor fellow instead of 
letting go the reef tackle, let go the weather fore- 
top sail brace, and away went the yard, fore and 
aft. By luffing up smartly James managed to pre- 
vent anything being carried away. But Captain 
Hines became almost insane with anger as he was 
a little the worse for liquor. He swore he would 
tan the foolish lubber’s hide who had done so 
clumsy a thing, and as soon as the unlucky fellow 
came on deck the captain rushed upon him with 


112 


JAMES GRIFFIN^S ADVENTURES 


a heavy rope and gave him a fearful cut over the 
shoulders. His hand rose to repeat the blow, when 
a voice from aloft roared out: 

‘'Hold on there, Captain!'’ 

The voice was clear and wonderfully plain, and 
the captain looked up and cried: 

“Aloft there!" 

“Well?" came the answer back. 

“Come on deck at once, or I'll have you put in 
irons," was the captain's order. 

“Go wipe off your chin, and pull down your 
vest," was the irritating and contemptuous re- 
sponse. 

The captain fairly foamed. 

“Come down on deck at once!" he ordered 
again. 

“Come up and get me," came the answer from 
aloft. 

“Who is up there, mate?" said the captain, be- 
ginning to get uneasy. 

“No one, sir," was the reply. “All hands are on 
deck," said the mate as he looked about. 


ON LAND AND SEA. 


113 


‘‘You lie!” roared Hines. “Get the lubber down 
and have him put in irons at once!” 

“There is no one up there, captain. Count the 
men here, yourself.” 

The captain did so. 

“Then there must be some stowaway on board. 
Go aloft and bring him down!” 

The mate went up the rigging and looked over 
the top rim, made a circuit of it, and then called 
down that he was alone. 

“Then the ship must be haunted,” ventured one 
of the men. 

The captain began to tremble. He was super- 
stitious and cowardly, and he dropped the piece 
of rope and went below. 

The next morning the captain came on deck 
sober, and felt heartily ashamed for his fears of the 
night before. He immediately began to look 
about for some one upon whom he could vent his 
spleen. He had ordered one of the men to do a 
job of splicing, and when it was finished and 
brought to him, he went into a rage without look- 
ing at it. 


114 


JAMES GRIFFIN’S ADVENTURES 


‘‘Do you call that a splice, you lubber? I’ll 
dock you to ordinary seaman’s wages.” 

The man protested, which was what the captain 
was waiting for, and picking up the rope said: 

“ril splice this over your lubberly back!” 

“Stay your hand, Captain!” again called out the 
voice, this time from behind the cabin. 

The captain turned about and looked to where 
the sound came from, and then rushed in that 
direction. No one was there. 

“Mate, who was that?” he called out. “Bring him 
here and I’ll load him in irons!” 

“Always catch your hare before you cook him!” 
cried the voice tauntingly. 

“Let me get hold of you and I’ll thrash you 
within an inch of your life.” 

“Don’t get so angry. Captain. Ha! ha! ha!” was 
the mocking reply, now from another part of the 
ship, and away from all the crew. 

Being broad daylight, it was plain that no one 
was there, and with a frightened look upon his face 
he again dropped the rope, and went below. 

Sailors are naturally superstitious. Whatever 


ON LAND AND SEA. 


115 


cannot easily be made out or accounted for on 
natural principles, is supposed to be supernatural. 
Hines was as bad as the most ignorant on the ship, 
for he was as illiterate and rough as they, and un- 
tutored except in the matter of navigation. He 
now firmly believed that his ship was haunted, as 
did everyone except Janies, who, as the reader 
has surmised, was the cause of the strange doings. 

Hines evidently thought that some spirit from 
the deep had come on board to torment him for 
his crimes. That night, as the captain’s cabin 
window was open for fresh air, and he had just 
retired, he heard a most fearful and agonizing yell, 
which brought him, half-dressed, on deck. He 
demanded the cause of the disturbance, but while 
others had heard the noise, none could explain its 
cause. 

The captain now firmly believed that the ship 
was haunted, and this idea was strengthened by 
the fact that whenever he became angry at the men 
or made a move to punish them, that voice would 
warningly forbid his actions. Then he would rush 


116 


JAMES GRIFFIN^S ADVENTURES 


off to his cabin, with blanched face and tottering 
gait. 

James wished that he could tell the men the 
cause of the strange voice, but he feared that it 
would come to the captain’s ear, and thus spoil the 
power he had over him. 

Although the voice seemed to be a protection 
to the men in the forecastle, they were not happy, 
and many of them would rather have taken their 
unjust punishments than to have the mysterious 
voice interfere. 

He told the men that they had nothing to fear, 
and that the spirit was only looking for Captain 
Hines. 


ON LAND AND SEA. 


117 


CHAPTER XVIL 

HELEN AGAIN HOME. 

When Helen regained consciousness, she was in 
about the same position as that of her brother 
James when he was picked up in San Francisco 
Bay, the day before. 

Helen looked curiously at her surroundings and 
could not at first comprehend the meaning of her 
peculiar situation, but pleasant faces assured her 
that she was in good hands. 

‘‘Well, Miss, you had a close call,’’ said the cap- 
tain, smiling. “How did you possibly get into such 
a predicament as we found you? Out in a small 
boat in such weather! Well, you’re safe now!” 

Helen felt the boat rushing through the big sea, 
and became anxious as to where she was being 
taken. 

“Where are we going?” she asked, without 
stopping to answer the captain’s questions. 


118 


JAMES GRIFFIN^ S ADVENTURES 


‘‘To San Francisco, and weT be there inside of 
three hours at the rate we’re scudding along.” 

“Oh, how fortunate,” cried the young girl, joy- 
fully. “I want to get home as soon as I can.” 

“Do your parents know where you are?” asked 
the captain. 

“My mother must think Fm dead, and I am anx- 
ious to get home at once!” And Helen rose and re- 
arranged her wet garments. 

“Well, don’t worry, young lady; I’ll land you as 
soon as possible.” 

Then Helen related part of her adventures, but 
was reserved about the doings of Captain Hardy 
and his efforts to force her mother to marry him. 

The captain of the vessel was interested. He 
also knew her father, and his good words about 
the missing man caused Helen to become confident 
and grateful. Helen, feeling that he was an honest 
man, finally related the whole story. Captain 
Napier, of the ve^el Seattle (such was the name 
of the captain and his ship) became indignant at 
the high-handed measures adopted by Captain 
Hardy, and declared that he would make it his 


ON LAND AND SEA. 


119 


business to put a stop to it. He wrote down 
Helen’s address, and said he would call as soon as 
possible. 

In a short time the staunch craft was tied up to 
her wharf. Helen again thanked the captain for 
saving her life and for his kindness, and then she 
departed hurriedly for home. 

On the way she met Joe Farrell. He looked at 
her in speechless wonder, and could hardly believe 
his ears when she cried: 

‘^Oh, Joe!” 

Joe was overjoyed. 

‘‘Miss Griffin, how did you get here? Your 
mother was told by Captain Hardy that you were 
taken to some far-off place to remain there until 
she consented to marry him,” and Joe looked at 
her in wonder. 

‘'But I’m here, Joe, and wish to go to mother at 
once. What do you think, Joe, I met James this 
morning many miles from here down on the coast. 
He was not drowned at all!” 

“James alive! Hooray!” and Joe threw his hat 


120 


JAMES GRIFFIN’S ADVENTURES 


in the air to give vent to his feelings. “But how 
did he escape drowning?” 

“I don’t know myself. He hadn’t time to tell 
me all. We were escaping together when James 
was overpowered by Captain Hines and several 
sailors. He is now out to sea on his way south.” 

“Well, of all the wonderful stories I ever heard, 
the doings of you two beat them all. Both of you 
drowned and yet both alive!” And Joe shook his 
head in perplexity. 

“Poor James!” sighed Helen. 

“Don’t you worry about James,” said Joe. 
“He’ll take good care of himself. They can’t kill 
him nohow.” 

They were now nearing the house, and Joe sug- 
gested that he had better go in first and break the 
news to Mrs. Griffin. 

Helen went around the back way. 

Mrs. Griffin received Joe kindly and could not 
account for his pleased looks. 

“I have good news for you, Mrs. Griffin. It is 
not sure that James was drowned — ” 

“ Oh, Joe!” 


ON LAND AND SEA. 


121 


“Yes, he was seen after he was supposed to be 
dead/’ 

“Where and by whom?” 

“Helen saw him this morning!” 

“Helen — where is Helen? — how do you know^ 
this?” asked the agitated mother. 

“Helen is on her way home — she must be almost 
here — I’ll go out and look for her,” and Joe diplo- 
matically stepped outdoors and Helen came into 
the room. 

It was an affecting meeting, and as soon as Mrs. 
Griffin was able to talk she asked about James. 

Helen related the whole story, but could not tell 
how he managed to get so many miles away in so 
short a time. 

“He swam the whole distance!” asserted Joe, 
who had re-entered the door. “That boy cannot 
be drowned, no more than a fish, and Helen, you 
are a wonder, too. Just think of it! Sailing out 
on the ocean alone in a storm, getting overturned, 
and yet here she is!” 

“Now, Joe, what do you think we had better 
do about Helen? When Captain Hardy learns that 


122 


JAMES GRIFFIN’S ADVENTURES 


she is here, he will resort to some other means of 
injuring us. Don’t you think we had better seek 
legal advice in the matter?” asked Mrs. Griffin. 

“Yes, I think the wdiole matter should be made 
public. But remember, Mrs. Griffin, Captain 
Hardy is rich, influential, and would resort to any 
crime to beat us. For the present, I think it would 
be best to give him to understand that if he makes 
one more hostile move, we shall adopt severe 
measures. In the meantime we had better keep a 
sharp lookout. I am watching Captain Hardy, and 
will report to you what I see and hear. I heard 
to-day that he is selling some of his properties, and 
I wondered if he was not preparing to leave the 
country.” 


ON LAND AND SEA. 


123 


CHAPTER XVIIL 

JAMES MAKES MORE TROUBLE. 

Captain Hines became so troubled that he soon 
lost his appetite. Pie heard low moanings and far- 
away voices, with groans and shrieks. At night his 
sleep was disturbed, and James soon discovered that 
some great crime was on his mind. In his dreams 
he would fight over some terrible conflict that he 
had doubtless some day passed through. 

One night James heard him talking in his sleep, 
and quietly opened the door to listen. 

‘T’ll get his money yet,” said the captain, “I’ll 
kill him to-night! Ah, Sam Connell, you will have 
to die to-night!” and the captain turned over in his 
berth uneasily and then sat up. 

That was enough for James. Throwing his 
voice up the stairway he said in a deep tone: 

“Hello, Captain Hines! Don’t you know me? 


124 


JAMES GRIFFIN^S ADVENTURES 


Of course you do! Tm Sam Connell, ha, ha, haJ 
I want to talk to you. Captain Hines!'’ 

Captain Hines was out of his berth in an instant. 

‘'What was that? Has he come back to torment 
me? What a fearful dream I had! And that voice, 
it seemed as real as life! Pshaw, it was only imagi- 
nation. I wonder what causes those nightmares 
and those strange sounds I hear? I wonder if it’s 
owing to the presence of that Griffin boy? It may 
be a warning. I remember what he told me — that I 
would surely be defeated in my efforts to get rid 
of him. I wish he was off this boat. I am sure 
I would then get relief from these terrible sounds 
and hideous laughs. But I wouldn’t dare to use 
violence on him. I must leave him on some island 
— any way to get rid of him!” and then the agi- 
tated captain walked on deck to get fresh air. 

James thought he had punished the captain 
enough for one night, so he went to sleep. 

The next ev^ing James was standing near the 
rail apparently unconcerned, and the captain was 
pacing up and down the deck in deep thought. 


ON LAND AND SEA, 


125 


Suddenly a voice was heard from the rigging, 
shouting a warning to Captain Hines. 

‘'Hello, Captain Hines! You are on a danger- 
ous voyage! What you intend to do now may 
result in your death! Mark what I tell you, Cap- 
tain Hines!'’ 

“Who is that?" shouted the captain. 

“Don't you know Sam Connell? Well, it's me, 
Captain Hines." 

The captain put his hand to his head in an agony. 

The crew looked at each other in superstitious 
awe. 

James rigged up in his stateroom a hideous look- 
ing face, and inserted incandescent ruby-colored 
globes for eyes, with different colors for mouth, 
etc., and connecting all with a wire, he placed it on 
the rail of the boat, and then he made the lights 
appear and go out at will. 

When the sailors saw that terrible sight they 
believed it was the evil one himself, come to claim 
all the guilty souls on board the ship. 

James then started up his gramophone and as 
it was faintly heard above the wash of the water 


126 


JAMES GRIFFIN’S ADVENTURES 


against the ship’s side, Captain Hines and his men 
were panic-stricken. 

All this was hastily removed, however, as James 
did not want to go too far in his punishment, nor 
did he wish to overdo the matter. 

During the next day James heard a great deal 
from the sailors about the mysterious voice. Some 
of the men thought James must be a hoodoo. 
Others insisted that it was all the captain’s fault, 
for the voice addressed him. James, of course, 
appeared as mystified as the others. 

The next evening James placed a little battery 
near the compass, and with two wires made a con- 
nection so as to cause the needle to point east 
instead of north. The wheelman had not noticed 
anything, as he fastened the wheel for a few mo- 
ments, and was looking over the rail. When he 
leisurely returned he saw that the ship’s course 
was away off from where he had left it, according 
to the compass7T)Ut he quickly saw that according 
to the stars she was on her regular course. He 
never stopped to reason the matter, but made a 
dash for the cabin and called the captain. James 


ON LAND AND SEA. 


127 


quickly removed his apparatus and threw it over- 
board, as he could hardly pass without being seen. 
He leaned quietly over the rail to hear what was 
said. 

“Very strange,” remarked the wheelman, “the 
compass was pointing due east, as sure as I live. 
I don’t like this business a bit. There’s something 
wrong about this ship!” 

“Nonsense, Jack,” returned the captain, “all im- 
agination.” 

“Well, we’ll see if you call it imagination,” re- 
turned the wheelman. 

They both looked at the compass. It was all 
right. 

“I’ll take an oath. Captain Hines, that not five 
minutes ago that compass was pointing east. Now 
it is all right, I admit, but it’s liable to turn again 
at any moment.” 

“The trouble is. Jack, you and the men think 
and talk too much about spirits and ghosts, and it 
works so on your imagination that you cannot 
longer see straight,” said the captain, as he quickly 
went away. 


128 


JAMES GRIFFIN^S ADVENTURES 


He did not wish to talk about the matter, but 
he believed what the wheelman told him about the 
compass, and that with his guilty conscience 
made him tremble from head to foot. 

Thus the days and weeks went by, and finally an 
island was sighted. It was somewhere near the 
Tonga or Friendly group. As the Essex neared 
the land, all were eager to once more set foot on 
terra firma. 

Dinner was eaten while land was yet a couple 
of hours’ sail distant, and James never noticed that 
Captain Hines dropped a powder into his coffee 
cup before it was emptied. 

Hurriedly finishing his repast, James quickly 
went on deck and looked curiously at the low- 
lying, tropical foliage and was anxious to get 
ashore and inhale the sweet perfumes. But he 
knew that now was the time to be on his guard. 
He became more suspicious as Captain Hines was 
tmusually cordial and conciliatory. 

‘'Come, James,” he said, “don’t you wish to go 
ashore with us? You can gather some fruit and 



JAMKS GRIFFIN, YOU WIUU SOON BK ASUF:KP, AND WHKN YOU AWAKB) WF) SHAUD BE FAR AWAY.” 

— See page ijo . 





y -.laas*- 












ON LAND AND SEA, 


129 


get a drink of fresh water, as there are undoubtedly 
many springs there/' 

James hesitated a moment. Then he thought 
that he could take care of himself without difficulty. 
He would keep near the men, and he could not 
understand how the captain could possibly leave 
him behind. So he entered the boat, but watched 
the captain narrowly. He thought he saw a trium- 
phant look on his face, and determined to keep 
right at the heels of Captain Hines all the time. 

James was now growing stronger, with his daily 
experience, and in a test of strength could easily 
hold his own with Captain Hines. 

As the men landed. Captain Hines gave the or- 
der that all should be on hand at 5 p, m., as the stop 
there would be short. 

The island seemed uninhabited, and the men 
spread out and went in different directions. 

James went with Captain Hines, but he had a 
revolver in his pocket, ready to use it if any foul 
play was attempted. 

After eating some fruit and getting a drink of 
fresh water, the captain said he was weary. He 


130 


JAMES GRIFFIN’S ADVENTURES 


remarked that the perfumes gave him a tired feel- 
ing, and he sat down. James was also feeling very- 
weary, and he lay down at the foot of a tree and 
closed his eyes. 

The captain looked at the young man trium- 
phantly. 

The drug is working,” muttered Hines 
“James Griffin, you will soon be asleep, and when 
you awake, we shall be far away!” 

James felt an overpowering sense of fatigue steal 
over him, and without realizing what he was doing, 
he soon fell into a deep sleep. 


ON LAND AND SEA. 


131 


CHAPTER XIX. 

JAMES ON THE ISLAND. 

The island on which Janies had been left by 
Captain Hines was comparatively small, but a veri- 
table garden, and there was fruit and fish and oys- 
ters enough to support several hundreds if not 
thousands of people. 

Flowers and birds were there in profusion and 
the songs of the latter made the woods ring with 
melody. 

When James awoke from his drugged sleep all 
was darkness. He could see the silvery rays of the 
moon shining through the trees, and he could not 
make out what it meant. He quickly collected his 
senses, however, and sprang to his feet. 

‘Where’s Captain Hines? Where’s the vessel? 
Hallo! Hallo!” shouted James, as he began to 
realize the possibility of his position. 


132 


JAMES GRIFFIN^S ADVENTURES 


There was no answer to his calls. He only heard 
a faint echo of his shout. 

In an agony he dashed toward the beach and 
looked in vain for signs of the Essex. On a line 
with the moon the water glittered prettily, but all 
the beauties were lost upon the young man in his 
first outburst of despair. 

James stood with straining eyes and bated breath 
for a sight or sound that would bring hope to him. 
But all was still. 

‘‘Have I been left alone on this island? How am 
I ever to escape? Oh, how terrible!’’ 

In his madness of despair he ran along the beach 
and finally saw a dark square object before him. 
He sprang forward to see what it could be. 

It was his trunk. On the trunk lay a number 
of tools — a saw, ax, nails, ropes, a large piece of 
canvas, blankets, cooking utensils, a gun, and other 
things that would be useful to a person who was 
about to live aTT^-obinson Crusoe life. 

On the trunk was tacked a letter. He tore it 
open and could just read in the dim light as follows: 


ON LAND AND SEA. 


133 


Dear James: — I am very sorry you took a notion into your 
head to run away from your ship. You will doubtless repent of 
your rash step after the novelty wears off. We made every 
effort to find you. We took your refusal to answer our calls as 
an indication that you were bound to remain. The time will 
come when you will be sorry for disobeying your guardian. To 
show my good intentions toward you, I have left you your 
trunk and some tools that I thought you might need, for you 
should know that this island is far from the track of passing 
vessels and you may live and die here of old age before another 
vessel ever calls. With best wishes for your happiness, 

I remain, 

CAPT. CHAS. HINBS. 

“What a villain he is,” muttered James. “Why 
does he write me so hypocritical a letter? He 
thinks it will drive me mad! What a terrible posi- 
tion! Alone on an island! Out of the tracks of 
vessels! Am I to live alone and then perish miser- 
ably at last? Oh, the heartlessness of that man!” 

Thus James sat for a long time wondering at his 
fate, with hot tears coming from his eyes. 

He offered a prayer to God for his mother, sister 
Helen and himself, and when morning came he 
was quite calm. There was a determined look in 
his features and he saw that he must bear up under 
his sore affliction. 

“It might be w'orse,” he finally said, consolingly. 


134 


JAMES GRIFFIN’S ADVENTURES 


‘‘Fve got my trunk and lots of tools. Til get some- 
thing to eat and then Til build a house. There’s 
no danger of starving here at all events,” and 
James gazed alternately at the prodigality of fruits 
and at the clams on the beach. 

James then helped himself to various fruits and 
built a fire and baked some clams. Having satis- 
fied his hunger James felt a great deal better. His 
brave heart and sunny nature had returned. 

'T have reason to feel thankful that I am still 
alive, even though on an uninhabited island,” 
mused James. 'Tt was all planned by Captain 
Hardy and Captain Hines to do away with me, and 
if Hines had not been such a coward, and if I had 
not frightened him so fearfully on the Essex, he 
would doubtless have knocked me over the head 
some dark night and I’d been food for the fishes. 
Instead of that I’m here alive and can live like a 
king. I’ll build a boat, too, and sail over to the 
other islands and see what they look like. I think 
if Robinson Crusoe got along so well I can do 
likewise. I have all the benefits of his experience 
and the chances of my being picked up are a thou- 


ON LAND AND SEA. 


135 


sand times better than during his time. In a few 
years at the longest some vessel will cruise around 
here. I wonder what country claims these islands? 
Well, I’ll run up the American flag I have in my 
trunk, and place myself under the protection of the 
United States. I’ll appoint myself governor at 
once and will conduct myself with all the dignity 
becoming so high an officer.” 

James was becoming quite cheerful. His grief 
was all spent and there was no more danger that he 
would again worry over his isolated position. 

“Wouldn’t Hines tear his hair if he could see 
how contented I am! He doubtless thinks I am 
running up and down the beach in despair, and that 
within a few days I will be a raving maniac and 
dash out my brains against a tree. Well, I’ll just 
take good care of myself and turn up again, and 
make those villains pay dearly for their persecu- 
tions of myself and mother and sister. Poor Helen, 
I wonder how she is getting along. I don’t think 
any harm is meant her. I am glad she knows that 
I am alive.” 

Then he thought of his dear mother and how she 


136 


JAMES GRIFFIN’S ADVENTURES 


would worry over his long absence. These 
thoughts spurred him on to energy. 

The first thing to do is to build a house while 
the weather is nice. I must always prepare for the 
future. I must go ahead as though I was to sta)'- 
here for many years. After the house is built I 
must construct a good, durable sail boat, and after 
a while I will take a few cruises about. Lucky 
Captain Hines left so large a piece of canvas. He 
doubtless meant me to use it to keep off the rain. 
He never suspected that I would be able to build 
a boat, for he didn’t know that I helped Joe Farrell 
many a day in his workshop.” 

James began felling small trees and trimming 
them, and by noon he had cleared a place, with four 
large trees for corner posts. Then he set to work 
making a log house. He only stopped at noon 
long enough to eat, and then went to work again, 
By night he had most of his material ready. 

The first night he slept on a blanket and placed 
the canvas over him. He had no fear of wild ani- 
mals, for he was not molested the evening before. 

The next morning he took a bath early and 


ON LAND AND SEA. 


137 


again feasted on oysters and fruits. He also found 
some breadfruit and baked it in the hot coals. 

He worked all day on his house. He made two 
rooms — a kitchen and sitting room. From the 
sitting room he had a good view of the ocean. In 
the kitchen he intended to cook and eat. For the 
roof James used palm leaves, and when they were 
all placed and fastened like shingles on a roof, not 
a drop of water could come through. 

James brought in his trunk and all the tools he 
had. He made a door in each end of the cabin, 
so as to have two exits in case of emergency. 

At the end of his first week on the island he 
felt that his house was finished. 


138 


JAMES GRIFFIN’S ADVENTURES 


CHAPTER XX. 

CAPTAIN HARDY HEARS OF HELEN’S ESCAPE. 

The next day after Helen had returned home 
Captain Hardy called on Mrs. Griffin. 

He expected to find her overwhelmed with her 
grief and he counted that she would be more tract- 
able. He felt sure that within a week she would 
consent to marry him if only for the sake of once 
more having her daughter with her. 

What was his surprise then to see her looking 
remarkably well — even pleasant. 

He looked at her searchingly and apprehensive- 
ly. He felt that something must be wrong. 

“Good morning, Mrs. Griffin. I am glad to see 
you looking more cheerful. I hope you look with 
more favor upon my desire to marry you.” 

“No, Captain Hardy. I am still set on refusing 
to entertain any such ideas. I shall never marry 
you,” answered Mrs. Griffin firmly. 


ON LAND AND SEA. 


139 


^^Remember, Mrs. Griffin, you will not see your 
daughter again, then. Would you not like to see 
Helen?’’ 

''I can see her when I desire. Captain Hardy, 
notwithstanding your infamous plans to keep her 
in hiding.” 

Mrs. Griffin had intended to keep her daughter’s 
presence in the house unknown, but the news had 
been spread among the neighbors that she was 
drowned, and since then Helen had been seen, and 
as she had no desire to keep anything secret, she 
decided to speak out. 

Captain Hardy was dumbfounded. 

‘‘What do you mean, Mrs. Griffin? You do not 
know where she is, so you cannot see her as you 
say. You are talking with too much assurance.’^ 

“You are mistaken. Captain Hardy. Helen is 
here in this house. Just as your plans to do 
away with James have failed, so have they mis- 
carried with your kidnapping Helen.” 

Just then Helen entered the sitting room and 
stood before the astounded captain. 

“You here? Has Captain Hines played me 


140 


JAMES GRIFFIN^S ADVENTURES 


false? And you say James is alive?’’ he added^ 
turning to Mrs. Griffin. 

‘^Yes,” answered Helen. ‘‘J^mes is as much alive 
as I. I talked with him this morning. And now 
listen to me, Captain Hardy. You must discon- 
tinue your persecutions of us. One more act of 
yours will be the signal to have you arrested, and 
you cannot doubt but that your doings will put 
you behind prison bars.” 

“And now. Captain Hardy,” said Mrs. Griffin,. 
“I wish you to leave us in peace. Remember,, 
another reprehensible act of yours will not be toler- 
ated.” 

Captain Hardy was in a fury. He thought Cap- 
tain Hines was a traitor to him. He could not 
understand Helen’s presence there, and the asser- 
tion that James was yet alive was overwhelming. 

He left hastily and went to his office to think 
over matters. Jle knew that if the law was once 
invoked, it would be bad for him. The company’s 
affairs would be investigated and he would be un- 
able to prove his claim to the Griffin property. 
True, he had a power of attorney from Mr. Griffin,. 


ON LAND AND SEA. 


141 


who trusted him so implicitly, but if he had to 
make a proper accounting of the property he would 
be in a bad fix. He was groping in the dark and 
was afraid of unseen dangers. After long thought 
he made up his mind to dispose of the firm’s prop- 
erty and be in readiness to depart at a moment’s 
notice. 

Just then the office door was opened and in 
stepped Captain Saam of the Sea Gull, just re- 
turned from a trip to the South Pacific islands. 

Captain Saam was another of Hardy’s friends 
and a worthy companion to Captain Hines. Cap- 
tain Hardy was pleased with the roughest kind of 
characters. He could always count on them to do 
what he wanted done. Captain Saam had lost two 
ships for Captain Hardy, and both were heavily 
insured. 

The greeting of the two was extremely cordial. 
Captain Hardy immediately took the commander 
into his private room, as he always wanted to be 
alone where sharp ears and prying eyes could 
neither hear nor see. 


142 


JAMES GRIFFIWS ADVENTURES 


‘‘How was the trip?’' asked Hardy, who owned 
a half interest in the Sea Gull. 

“All right,” answered Captain Saam. “But a 
very unpleasant incident happened. While passing 
an island in the South Pacific we saw a man signal 
to us, and come out to us in a canoe. We hove to 
to see what he wanted, and who do you think it 
proved to be?” 

“Haven’t the remotest idea. Never was very 
good at guessing puzzles,” and Captain Hardy 
smiled at his own pleasantry. 

“It was your brother-in-law, Emil Griffin!” 

It would have been impossible for Captain 
Hardy to have been more stunned by anything he 
could have seen or heard than he was now. He 
leaped from his chair and nearly choked with fright 
and emotion. 

“Where is he?” were the first words that he 
could utter. surely did not bring him here 

to ruin me!’^ 

“No, Captain Hardy. As soon as I learned who 
he was I put him into a boat just before a storm 
was coming up and again set him adrift. But the 


ON LAND AND SEA. 


143 


storm blew over and we were then far away. He 
undoubtedly reached land and may be alive now. 
I know the exact island where he would land if 
he got ashore/' 

''This is terrible news, Captain Saam. Do you 
know that if Emil Griffin should return it would 
be the ruin of us both? You would lose the half 
interest in the Sea Gull! We must return to the 
island, Captain, and make sure that he is dead. If 
he is not dead, we must kill him! I'll stand the 
expense and reward you liberally, too. We must 
get ready at once. I'll go with you. This world 
is not big enough for both of us to live on." 

Captain Hardy got up and paced the floor nerv- 
ously. 

"Does any of the crew know that it was Mr. 
Griffin?" asked Hardy, anxiously. 

"No; I was alone with him in the cabin when 
he informed me who he was. I told him you were 
married to his wife by this time and it nearly crush- 
ed him. I told him I could not take him back 
under any circumstances and made him get into 
one of the boats and with a few articles set him 


IM JAMES GRIFFIN’S ADVENTURES 

adrift. He offered me thousands to let him return, 
but I knew it would be your ruin, so I refused.” 

“That was right. Captain Saam. I am truly 
grateful. But I wish you had got rid of him for 
good. Well, we must get ready at once to search 
for him. And don’t let a word of this get out. 
Are you sure none of the sailors knew him?” 

“I arranged that all right. I told them that he 
was a murderer and that I would not keep him on 
board. He truly looked terrible, with his long 
white hair and long beard. I threatened to shoot 
Griffin if he uttered a word. So none know who 
he was.” 


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HOW WAS THE TRIP?” ASKED HARDY, WHO OWNED A HADE INTEREST IN THE SEA GV Lh.See pa^e 142. 










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ON LAND AND SEA, 


145 


CHAPTER XXL 

CANNIBALS VISIT THE ISLAND. 

James kept hard work for several days getting 
everything neat and trim about his cabin. 

He also made a temporary raft, so that he could 
go out fishing. He thought a fish would taste 
good and vary his diet besides. He now had all 
the fruits he wished to eat, and fish, oysters and 
birds’ eggs in abundance. 

James had made a trip around the island. It 
was about two and a half miles long and about 
three-quarters of a mile wide. Armed with his 
camera he took half a dozen views of pretty places 
he came across. He thought the photos would be 
a nice remembrance when he got back to civiliza- 
tion. 

James found a number of pretty coves on one 
side of the island, and at one of them he decided 
to build his boat. With his ax over his shoulder, 


146 


JAMES GRIFFIN^S ADVENTURES 


he went out to select the trees he desired to saw 
into boards. Other pieces he selected for the ribs, 
and within a week he had his material at hand and 
seasoning. 

James found it a long and tedious job to saw 
out the boards, but he was forced to keep at it, as it 
was the only method at hand. Each day saw his 
work more advanced. 

He took pictures of the progress of his work on 
the boat and also of his home. He had no dark 
room for developing, but as the nights are very 
dark in those regions, he simply covered the win- 
dows, lit his ruby lamp and had no trouble with 
foggy plates. Here, also, he loaded his plate-hold- 
ers. He printed and toned and soon l^ad a fine 
display of photos in his cabin. He determined to 
keep his plates, so that when he got back to San 
Francisco he could make up a set of extra fine 
prints. -- 

Evenings he enjoyed his gramaphone, and tested 
his electrical apparatus. Thus the weeks went by. 

One evening as James was at the further end 
of the island he saw seven long canoes, with about 


ON LAND AND SEA, 


147 


twenty-five men in each boat, approaching 
land. They came from some island to the westj 
and James wondered what they were going to do 
there. Would they go all over the place, or just 
make a landing? He had his gun with him and 
he determined to frighten them if they started out 
on a tour of the island he was on. 

As they landed he saw that they were taking a 
captive out of one of the boats. He was tied hand 
and foot, and they laid him on the sandy beach. 
James was as far distant as he could get and still 
observe their actions. Finally a fire was built and 
preparations were evidently being made for a can- 
nibalistic feast. 

James longed to make a dash and rescue the 
prisoner, but he knew it would be useless, as he 
could do nothing against so many savages, and if 
they once knew he was on the island his fate 
would be sealed. All at once James saw a big 
savage with a long club, the end of which was full 
of sharp points, go up to the prisoner and strike 
him a number of blows on the head. The first blow 
was undoubtedly fatal, as no movement was made 


US JAMES GRIFFIN^ S ADVENTURES 

by the prisoner. The savages then chanted a dirge 
or war song and marched around the fire, and when 
they were tired they sat down again, and a huge 
kettle was put into the flames and the body cut 
up and placed therein. The cannibals kept up a 
great noise for about two hours, and then began 
their feast, which made James almost sick to look 
at. When the eating was over, they all went to 
to sleep and it seemed as though they intended 
to remain all night. So, as soon as all were ap- 
parently asleep, James went back to his hut, and 
hid his most valuable articles, and then retired. 

James was up with the sun, and after hastily eat- 
ing he carefully returned to the landing place of 
the savages. They were yet asleep, but in a short 
time they got up one after another. 

After eating of fruit they executed another dance 
and made a great deal of noise, and then re-entered 
their long canoes" and departed from whence they 
came. 

James watched them until they were out of sight 
and then he returned to his work. 

He now saw that the savages on the neighbor- 


ON LAND AND SEA. 


149 


ing islands were cannibals, and that they might be 
expected to occasionally visit the island. That 
gave him considerable concern for a time, but as he 
saw no more of them for several weeks he soon 
felt secure again. 


i 


150 


JAMES GRIFFIN^ S ADVENTURES 


CHAPTER XXIL 

A STRANGE MEETING. 

One morning James was sitting at his open door 
eating his breakfast and making a sweep of the 
ocean with his eyes when he suddenly discerned a 
small white speck in the distance. At first it looked 
like a gull, but as it did not apparently move, 
James got his glass from his trunk and watched 
it for some time. 

'Tt looks for all the world like a sail,’’ muttered 
James. ‘T wonder what it can be? It isn’t a 
vessel, that is sure. It is coming here and appears 
to be a sailboat!” 

James was hardly pleased at the sight, but his 
wonder was greats He had become quite at home 
on his island and did not wish anything of a dis- 
turbing nature to occur, unless it were a vessel to 
take him home. 


ON LAND AND SEA. 


151 


As the object neared the island, James saw that 
it was a sailboat containing a single person. 

Where did he come from? Was he a ship- 
wrecked sailor or had he been set adrift from some 
vessel ? 

These conjectures went through James’ mind, 
and he rather feared than welcomed the newcomer. 

“If he is all right it will be delightful,” thought 
James; “but if he is not, I shall have to take proper 
measures for my protection, that is all.” 

His house was protected from view by the 
bushes that grew in front, so that it could not, at 
once, be readily seen, so James retired inside and 
watched the actions of the new arrival. 

Finally the yawl touched the beach and an old- 
looking man with long white hair and beard got 
out. He was finely built, and it could be seen 
that he was possessed of great strength. His 
clothes were nothing but rags, and these had been 
made out of old pieces of sails, and they were tied 
to his body with pieces of rope. He fastened his 
boat and then knelt down and apparently offered 
a prayer to God for having reached land. 


152 


JAMES GRIFFIN^S ADVENTURES 


“Well, there cannot be anything very bad about 
him,’’ thought James to himself. “His first 
thoughts seem to be thankfulness for his safety. 
I’ll just watch him a while and see what he does.” 

The man had landed a little distance from where 
James had located, so he saw none of the signs of 
improvement that were evident about the house. 
He walked to the trees and picked some fruit, but 
ate sparingly. 

Suddenly he saw where James had chopped 
down a tree. He examined the stump carefully, 
and then looked about half suspiciously, half ex- 
pectantly. 

“That was cut with an ax,” he muttered. “And 
it could not have been done more than a month 
ago, for the wood is yet fresh-looking. I wonder 
if the island is inhabited? If so, by whom? One 
thing is sure, that tree was cut down by a white 
man. I wonden^ if he is here now? I must be 
careful, and watch my boat. That is the only thing* 
left me with which to eventually get away from 
here.” And the stranger returned to his craft, 
shoved it off and proceeded down the shore. Com- 


ON LAND AND SEA, 


153 


ing to a little inlet he again landed and tied the 
boat securely near an overhanging tree. 

James went through the woods and followed the 
man’s movements. He took his revolver along, 
in case he might need it, but he now had little fear, 
as the stranger looked so noble and refined. 

James saw, as he came near the boat, that it 
contained nothing but a keg of water and box of 
lunch, and his heart went out to the lonely stranger 
who was so ill provided for in his new position. 

Then James boldly walked out into the open, 
and approached the boat. 

The gentleman saw him. His first impulse was 
to re-enter his boat and put out to sea, but seeing 
James walking along so peacefully, he looked at 
him curiously. He admired the handsome youth, 
dressed lightly and neatly, for James had plenty of 
light clothes and was careful of them, for he knew 
not where he was to get others when they were 
worn out. 

When James was near enough, he waved his 
hand in greeting and said: 

‘T am glad to meet you, sir. I am, like you 


154 


JAMES GRIFFIN’S ADVENTURES 


unfortunately cast upon this island. I have been 
here several months, and was much surprised to 
see you land.” 

James did not know if the stranger could under- 
stand English, but he appeared to be an American. 

“I am equally glad to see you, young man. I 
saw signs of someone having been here and not 
knowing what I might expect, I was cautious. Let 
me shake your hand,” and the old man held out 
his large, sunburned hand to James. 

James greeted him cordially. 

As the stranger looked at James closely, he drew 
a long breath and put his hand to his head. He 
seemed much affected. 

“How like,” he muttered, “how much like my 
dear Annie!” 

The stranger seemed to be overcome with agita- 
tion and sat down on a stump. 

James supposed that he was overcome with 
fatigue. 

“Wait a moment and I will bring you a drink 
of water — fresh water.” And James bounded off. 


ON LAND AND SEA. 


155 


In a few moments James returned with a pail 
of fresh, clear water from a spring. 

The stranger was sitting in deep meditation, 
thinking of home, his wife and children. As he saw 
James, he again looked at him scrutinizingly, and 
said: 

''What is your name, young man, if I may ask?'’ 

"Griffin — James Griffin — ” 

" — of San Francisco?” gasped the stranger. 

"Yes, sir! Do you know the Griffin family? 
My father was Emil Griffin. He was lost at sea 
a number of years ago.” 

The stranger staggered to his feet. 

"Yes,” muttered the old man to himself, "it is 
my little James.” And then he called out: 

"James! James! Don’t you know me? I am 
your father!” and he reached out his arms to em- 
brace his son. 

James was overwhelmed. He could not conceive 
the fact that it was his father that held him in his 
arms. He remembered his father as a younger 
man, but upon looking closer, he recalled the face. 


156 


JAMES GRIFFIN^S ADVENTURES 


now so altered! How terribly his father must have 
suffered all these years! 

As James realized that it was indeed his father 
before him, he embraced him again, and tears came 
to his eyes — burning tears of joy. 

‘‘Come, father dear, to my house and let us talk 
over our affairs. Thank God for this meeting.’ 
And James took his arm. 

“Your mother and little Helen?” asked Mr. 
Griffin, for it was indeed Emil Griffin, so long 
mourned as dead. 

“Both were well when last I saw them, several 
months ago. Mother and Helen were always sure 
that you would return, and have been waiting for 
you all these years. They would never believe that 
you were dead.” 

“Thank God for that!” murmured Mr. Griffin. 
“Helen, too, must now be quite a young lady — 
seventeen year^jDld!” said the father. 

“Yes, and as beautiful as she is good!” answered 
James. “I am exceedingly proud of her. She is 
a brave and noble girl.” 

“How wonderful it is, James, that we should 


ON LAND AND SEA, 


157 


come together thus. It is truly the hand of God, 
and I am sure He will continue to protect us. I 
feel that in due time our troubles will be over. 
With you here life will at least be tolerable, but 
you cannot know what agony of mind I have 
suffered all these years!” 

The two — father and son — soon arrived at the 
house. James could hardly do enough for the 
comfort of his father, who was truly in need of 
rest and food. 

The father looked proudly at his son. 

‘^How you have grown!” he exclaimed. ^‘You 
are nearly as tall as I ! And what a fine home you 
have here!” 

The father was anxious to hear of his family 
and how James came to be on the island, and 
James was equally anxious to learn about his 
father. 

James related in a few words all that had hap- 
pened to him, Helen and his mother, and the do- 
ings of Captain Hardy. 


158 


JAMES GRIFFIN’S ADVENTURES 


CHAPTER XXIII. 

OFF FOR THE SOUTH PACIFIC. 

Joe Farrell called daily at the Griffin residence. 
Several days after Captain Hardy had been there, 
Joe learned that the captain was selling all 
the property he could. He also saw the Sea Gull, 
and during the day he met the steward, an old 
friend of his. They had been boys together and 
were once great chums. 

“Well, Joe, how goes it with you?” asked the 
steward, James Edmonds. 

“Oh, quite well. When does the Sea Gull leave 
again ?” 

“We leave as soon as we can get ready. Captain 
Hardy is going^along. There seems to be some- 
thing in the wind. We never were in such a hurry 
before. I cannot but connect it with an incident 
that happened on our last trip. We picked up an 
old-looking man near an island. I heard the cap- 


ON LAND AND SEA. 


159 


tain and the stranger talking in the cabin. He 
said his name was Griffin. They talked quite loud 
and mentioned Captain Hardy’s name. The old 
man was again set adrift by the captain the same 
night, but I guess he reached an island all right, 
for we were near land.” 

''Griffin, did you say? Good heavens, it must 
be Emil Griffin!” And Joe became very excited. 

"We’re to leave for the same place where we 
shipped the old man,” continued the steward, "and 
I’ve got a lot of work to attend to, so I’ll have to 
say good-bye and good luck to you, Joe.” 

Joe shook hands with the steward and they 
parted. Joe hurried to the Griffin residence to tell 
the news. Mrs. Griffin met him cordially, and Joe 
related what he had heard. 

"Thank God, he is yet alive,” cried Mrs. Griffin. 
"Poor Emil, what suffering you must have gone 
through! May Heaven protect you! We must ' 
do something to rescue him, Joe! We must search 
all the islands until we find some trace of him! 
We must be quick about it, too, for Captain Hardy, 
you say, is going as soon as possible on the Sea 


160 


JAMES. GRIFFIN’S ADVENTURES 


Gull to search for him — perhaps to kill him if he 
is found!” 

But how to get a vessel to make the search was 
a question that none could answer. Joe was poor, 
or he would have fitted out a ship himself. Mrs. 
Griffin had no means. Helen could offer no sug- 
gestion. 

While the family was in such a dilemma there 
was a rap at the door and upon its being opened 
Captain Napier was standing there. 

Helen greeted him warmly, and introduced him 
to Mrs. Griffin and Joe. 

'‘I called, Mrs. Griffin, to see how your daughter 
was getting along. I was afraid she might be ill 
from her terrible experience, but I see she is thor- 
oughly well. Miss Griffin has told me of the vil- 
lainy of Captain Hardy, and having known Mr. 
Griffin so well, I am anxious to do whatever I can 
to be of servic^to his family.” 

^We have just learned of one of the sailors on 
the Sea Gull that Mr. Griffin was picked up at sea 
a couple of months ago, but as soon as Captain 
Saam discovered it was Mr. Griffin, he again set him 



WHAT IS YOUR NAME, YOUNG MAN, IF I MAY ASK?” “G RIFFIN— JAMES GRIFFIN.”— /55- 




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ON LAND AND SEA. 


161 


adrift in a small boat. Now Captain Hardy is go- 
ing in search of him — not to rescue him, but to 
kill him!” said Mrs. Griffin, in great agitation. 

“Mr. Griffin alive!” exclaimed the captain. 
“Then I’ll go in search of him myself — we’ll all 
go together! Do you know, Mr. Farrell, about 
where they set Mr. Griffin adrift?” 

“Not exactly, but as near as I could make out 
from the steward’s explanation, it was about in 
longitude 170 degrees and latitude 20 degrees. 
But you could soon find the island. You could 
call at every island on the charts,” returned Joe, 
delighted. 

“And that is what I’ll do! I’ll prepare for the 
trip at once and within a week we’ll be on our 
way. You must go along, Mr. Farrell,” added the 
captain. 

Mrs. Griffin was nearly overcome with gratitude 
at the offer. 

“You may be sure, Captain Napier, that we fully 
appreciate your liberal offer. I cannot repay you 
for your kindness, but you may be sure that if 


162 


JAMES GRlFFIN^S ADVENTURES 


Mr. Griffin is rescued he will reward you hand- 
somely.’’ 

''I expect no reward,” returned the captain, 
kindly. '‘It will be reward enough to have out- 
witted Captain Hardy and bring him to justice.” 

"We may also find James,” said Helen; "they 
may put him off on some island where father is — 
James and father may even be together!” And she 
looked radiant in expectation of such an event. 

Captain Napier discussed the matter thoroughly 
with Mrs. Griffin and Joe Farrell, and then hurried- 
ly left to fit out his boat for a long cruise am.ong 
the South Pacific islands. 

Joe also prepared to accompany the party, and 
Mrs. Griffin packed up the necessary things she 
would need for their comfort on the trip. 

Joe watched the Sea Gull all next day and again 
met the steward, and got all the information he 
could. 

Three days later the Sea Gull was ready for sea 
and Joe saw Captain Hardy on board. 

Several days after the Sea Gull had left, Captain 
Napier met a friend — an attorney — and related the 


ON LAND AND SEA. 


163 


events connected with Captain Hardy. The attor- 
ney advised that a warrant be made out for his 
arrest and the arrest of Captain Saam also. He 
also counseled taking an officer along to serve the 
warrants. 

He consulted with Mrs. Griffin on the matter 
and the warrants were secured, and Joe Farrell 
was deputied an officer and detailed to the duty 
of arresting Captain Hardy wherever he might be 
found. 

Two days later Captain Napier with the ship 
Seattle was ready to follow Captain Hardy, and 
with Mrs. Griffin and Helen and Joe on board, 
the staunch vessel sailed through the Golden Gate 
on her trip to the rescue of Mr. Griffin. 


164 


JAMES GRIFFIN’S ADVENTURES 


CHAPTER XXIV. 

MR. GRIFFIN TELLS HIS STORY. 

After James had told his father all about the 
affairs at home, Mr. Griffin related his own ad- 
ventures since leaving San Francisco over ten years 
before. 

The vessel, his own, on which he was making 
his trip to Australia in i88i, was the Golden State. 
They were struck by a heavy storm and driven 
far from their course, near the islands where he 
now was, and the ship foundered. The boats were 
swamped as fast as they were lowered and many 
of the crew were drowned. Mr. Griffin was finally 
thrown into the water by a great wave, and, cling- 
ing to a spar, he finally reached shore more dead 
than alive. 

When he recovered consciousness after a long 
sleep, he saw the vessel rapidly going to pieces on 


ON LAND AND SEA, 


165 


the rocks near the beach. All the crew were 
drowned and he was alone. 

The island seemed uninhabited, but was like the 
island here, rich in fruits and vegetation. 

Mr. Griffin collected all he could from the debris 
that came ashore and constructed a hut. He had 
not the tools that James possessed, so he could not 
build a boat. But he managed to cut out a canoe 
from a tree with a piece of iron he had sharpened on 
a stone. It was a long job, but he finally succeeded 
in his task. He made a keel on it, so that it would 
not so easily tip, and he had worked it out so thin 
that it was light and suitable for calm weather. 
Here he had lived for months and years, every day 
looking for a sail that it seemed would never come. 
Savages made visits to the island yearly, but 
he always managed to hide his canoe, and he 
had planted so many bushes about his hut that it 
was entirely overgrown. He had anticipated such 
visits and had used every precaution to prevent 
being discovered, for he feared he would be killed 
and eaten if they captured him. In a large tree 
he had fixed up a little shelter and at about the 


166 


JAMES GRIFFIN^ S ADVENTURES 


time for the savages to come to visit the island, he 
took refuge there, first providing himself with an 
abundance of food and water. 

‘‘On one of their visits,’’ said Mr. Griffin, “they 
discovered my hut, for they carried of¥ many things 
I had taken from the wreck. Fortunately nothing 
valuable was lost, for I always hid all my useful 
articles in different places. At that time they made 
a thorough search of the island, but of course they 
never suspected that I was up in the top of a tree. 
I was always careful not to have any beaten paths, 
from place to place, and I always took differ- 
ent routes when I went from point to point. Here 
I waited days, weeks, months, years ! I observed my 
hair and beard grow long and begin to turn gray 
from anxiety. I prayed by day and prayed by 
night, still no ship came.” And Mr. Griffin wiped 
his brow in remembrance of his agony. 

“Thus time went on and hope grew less in my 
breast. You can imagine my feelings then, one 
evening, to discover a vessel out at sea! I was in a 
delirium of joy! I became so weak that I could 
hardly stand up! My brain reeled! I was to be 


ON LAND AND SEA. 


167 


rescued at last, when I had almost given up all 
hope of ever leaving the island! As soon as I re- 
covered my strength I hastily got out my canoe. 
The ocean was calm, and hardly a breath of wind 
stirred. As fast as I could, I rowed for the vessel 
in the gathering darkness. I thought of your 
mother, yourself and Helen, and I almost shouted 
for joy. I must have presented a wild appearance, 
for when I finally reached the ship the sailors drew 
back. I asked for the captain, and told him that 
I was an American and had been on the island ten 
years. I asked the name of the ship and learned 
that it was the Sea Gull, one of my own boats — 
Captain Saam. I quickly told him who I was, and 
instead of being pleased he drew back. He told 
me that I was supposed to be dead, that by this 
time Captain Hardy was surely married to your 
mother, and that I would be better off to remain 
where I was. He said he cauld not take me along 
— would not do so under any circumstances. I 
pleaded; I offered him money, but it was no use. 
During our talk a storm was brewing, and the 
captain went on deck, and soon we were skimming 


168 


JAMES GRIFFIN’S ADVENTURES 


along under reefed sails. When he returned we 
were far from the island and I was certain that I 
would be allowed to remain. He surely could not 
cast me overboard, nor could he put me adrift in 
my light canoe, as it had doubtless been left behind. 

‘‘Captain Saam, however, said that I would have 
to leave the ship and leave that very night. He 
told me he would fit out a boat and set me adrift. 
He threatened that if I made an outcry, he would 
kill me. It was no use to plead or argue. He was 
determined to get rid of me. 

“When there were only a few men about, he 
made me come on deck, hustled me into the yawl 
boat, and cast me loose. He told me that a big 
storm was coming and that I would doubtless soon 
be drowned. I knew not which way to steer, 
so let the boat go with the wind. The vessel was 
out of sight in a short time, and I was alone on 
the broad ocean in an open boat! I expected the 
storm to burst vipon me at any moment, and pre- 
pared myself to meet death, but happily the wind 
went down, and when morning came I saw land 
far away. I steered for it, and landed here. 


ON LAND AND SEA. 


169 


James was indignant at the action of Captain 
Saam. 

“Never mind, father, we are here together now. 
We will build a big boat, provision it for a long 
cruise, and endeavor to reach civilization. We 
can do that in a year, at least.” And James rose 
with restless energy. 

“I am afraid, James, that Captain Saam will 
cruise about these islands to search for me, for he 
saw that the storm blew over and must know that 
I reached land. He will not rest until I am dead.” 

“W ell, he will find that you are not alone, at any 
rate. We will give him a warm reception if he 
ever makes any attempts on our lives.” And James 
looked significantly at his gun and revolver. 

“When he returns home and reports to Captain 
Hardy, I am sure they will start in search of us. 
Captain Hardy knows it will go hard with him if I 
should return. I do not understand how I ever 
trusted him so.” 


170 


JAMES GRIFFIN’S ADVENTURES 


CHAPTER XXV. 

SAVAGES AGAIN VISIT THE ISLAND. 

Mr. Griffin and his son Janies spent many an 
hour talking over their plans for the future. Had 
they not been worried over Mrs. Griffin and Helen, 
who was supposed to be a prisoner where James 
had parted from her, their lives would have been 
enjoyable indeed. Still it was a great comfort for 
Mr. Griffm to have James with him to talk to. He 
found his son well-read, even brilliant, and was sur- 
prised at his knowledge in botany, chemistry, elec- 
tricity, etc. 

Mr. Griffin one day remarked that it was time 
for the savages to be making their trips to the 
neighboring islands, and he feared they would 
come here also. He suggested that proper pre- 
cautions be taken so that they would not be cap- 
tured. 

With the aid of the tools that James possessed 


ON LAND AND SEA. 


171 


they decided to make a place of refuge under- 
ground instead of in a tree. They concluded that 
it would be the safer plan. So they selected a 
suitable place on the side of a bank for an opening 
and began to dig tunnels in many directions, and 
one of them led to quite a large chamber, the roof 
of which they braced up with posts to keep the 
ground from falling in. They made several open- 
ings, one of them leading to an old hollow tree. 
Here they prepared everything so as to make a 
last stand. They arranged it so that if they were 
pursued they could close up the tunnel with dirt 
and stones, so as to effectually stop pursuit. When 
everything was ready, they obliterated all traces of 
their work, and in front of their openings they 
planted thick bushes, and felt that they had an 
impregnable retreat. They made a connection 
with the house, so that at a moment’s notice they 
could carry all their food, tools and goods with 
them and close up the entrance. 

^Tt would require an army to fight us now,” 
said James with satisfaction, surveying their work. 
^T’ll just rig up some of my electrical apparatus 


172 


JAMES GRIFFIN’S ADVENTURES 


and get my fireworks ready, and if any savages ever 
come here, I’ll guarantee it will be their last visit. 
My magic lantern will give them a scare, too. Be- 
sides, I’ll take a few snap shots at them with my 
camera, and astonish them with my gay-looking 
kite.” 

Mr. Griffin, too, felt secure. He had the great- 
est confidence in his son, and was considerably as- 
tonished and amused with his ventriloquism, his 
sleight-of-hand tricks, and his electrical experi- 
ments. 

As Mr. Griffin had anticipated, one pleasant 
afternoon twenty long canoes, with about twenty- 
five savages in each canoe, were seen approaching 
the island. 

With great haste everything was secreted in 
their underground retreat. 

Then James got his electrical battery ready, and 
strung his wire along the shore, where the savages 
would be sure to see it. In about an hour after 
first being observed, the reached the island. They 
looked like a war party, but were evidently only 
on some religious pilgrimage. 


ON LAND AND SEA. 


173 


The first native to land, saw the wire and took 
hold of it curiously. He called the others’ atten- 
tion to it and they also grasped it. 

Suddenly James turned on the current. The 
savages began to dance in their bare feet on the 
wet ground, which made a good connection. They 
made every endeavor to let go of the wire, but were 
unable to do so. Then they began to howl dis- 
mally. The others looked on in astonishment and 
terror. They grasped their friends’ hands to 
pull them away, and they were also caught. 
Then James let out his great kite, on which 
was painted a hideous face, something that 
would scare a child into fits. It had a similar 
efiect on the savages. It rose higher, higher, and 
hung right over their heads. Some of the savages 
got into their canoes in terror, but the appeals of 
their friends for help caused them to hesitate. 
After a short consultation, a great number of them 
made a rush to release their companions, but were 
also caught like flies on tangle-foot paper. Only 
a few were yet free, and in their terror they all 


174 


JAMES GRIFFIN^ S ADVENTURES 


scrambled into one canoe, and made all possible 
haste to escape. 

After they were gone, James came down to the 
beach, collected all their spears and clubs and car- 
ried them away. Then he went with gloved hands 
and rubbers on his feet, and bound the savages, 
one after another, until all were secure. 

He was surprised to hear several of them speak 
brokenly in English, and when he asked them how 
they learned it, they said the missionaries had been 
on their island, but that they had finally killed and 
eaten them. 

James shuddered at the calm recital of so terrible 
an act. 

He spoke to them for some time. He ques- 
tioned them about God, and asked them if they did 
not think it was wrong to take a human life, espe- 
cially the life of one who was laboring for their 
welfare. 

The savagesjiad but a dim understanding, and 
James concluded that it was almost useless to argue 
with them. But he made up his mind to frighten 
them, and prevent, if possible, any future human 


ON LAND AND SEA. 


175 


sacrifices. He got his gramaphone, and gave them 
a great scare. They could not understand where 
the voices came from. 

''What has happened here/’ said James, throw- 
ing his voice over their heads, "is a penalty for 
killing white men. God is displeased with you, 
and will punish you for killing the missionaries!” 

They all moaned pitifully and pleaded for mercy. 
They said they would never again harm a white 
man, if they were let free. They looked upon 
James as one sent from God to punish them for 
their conduct, and they saw that he had a power 
that they could not fight against. 

James left them for a time to think over their 
situation, while he hauled in the kite and collected 
the wire. 

Mr. Griffin stood by, with gun and revolver in 
case of need. 

"We have them in our power,” remarked the 
father. "But what are we to do with them? 
They’ll be a sort of white elephant on our hands. 
There are about 200 of them, and it will keep us 


176 


JAMES GRIFFIN’S ADVENTURES 


busy to feed them. Besides, a large rescuing party 
may be sent over to attack us.” 

“I don’t think any of those who escaped will 
care to return,” answered James. “They would be 
afraid to ever again set foot on this island. Still, 
there’s no telling what those may do who were not 
here. We’ll wait until night, and let them go. 
When they are in their canoes we’ll send a few sky- 
rockets after them and burn a lot of red fire. 
That will cause them to forever keep away from 
here.” 

James told the savages that they would be re- 
leased, and that they would then see terrible lights 
or angry spirits; that they should never again harm 
a white man or they would all be destroyed. 

He gave them water to drink towards evening, 
and rigged up some frames to shoot off his spin- 
ning-wheels and skyrockets. Everything was 
ready for a grand Fourth of July celebration, when 
suddenly, just as the sun was setting, a great num- 
ber of canoes were seen coming, evidently to the 
rescue. The captured savages did not see their 
friends, and were kept ignorant of their presence. 









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ON LAND AND SEA. 


177 


The rescuers seemed to be holding off for darkness, 
under cover of which they apparently wished to 
deliver their friends. 

As soon as it was dark, James gave them an ex- 
hibition of his magic lantern, and then liberated 
a boat load of savages at a time, and they 
lost not a moment in pushing out to sea. In half 
an hour all were afloat, and then he set off several 
skyrockets after them. Then followed Roman 
candles, great spinning-wheels, and red and green 
fire. 

The savages must have been terribly frightened. 

After the exhibition, the two inhabitants of the 
island retired to their underground retreat for the 
night, in case an attack was made. 

Next morning not a canoe was in sight. 

Evidently the savages would hereafter never 
again want to visit that particular island. 


178 


JAMES GRIFFIN’S ADVENTURES 


CHAPTER XXVL 

THE PURSUERS. ’ 

While James Griffin and his father were living 
on their island prison and getting along so nicely, 
Captain Hardy was on the broad ocean, bent on 
finding Mr. Griffin and forever putting him out 
of the way. 

Captain Saam calculated just about where Mr. 
Griffin must have landed if he got ashore, and con- 
sequently the Sea Gull was headed for the very 
island where James and his father were located. 

Captain Hardy was uneasy and restless on the 
trip and drank heavily. He feared his prey would 
escape him. 

“Well,” he said, half consolingly, “I have dis- 
posed of a great deal of property and have enough 
money in my belt to provide for me in case of 
emergency. I must move cautiously now, and if 


ON LAND AND SEA. 


179 


Mr. Griffin should return, I can escape to Australia 
or to Europe. I am safe at all events.’’ 

Early one morning as the sun rose in all its 
glory, the Sea Gull was lying of¥ the island on 
which were James and his father. 

Captain Hardy scanned the shore sharply with 
his glass and suddenly uttered an exclamation that 
brought Captain Saam to his side. 

“Look there, captain! Do you make out a man 
standing on the beach looking right at us?” asked 
Hardy. 

Captain Saam took the glass and looked care- 
fully. 

“Emil Griffin!” he exclaimed. “Captain Hardy, 
there he stands as sure as I’m here! We’d better 
lower a boat and us two go ashore alone! We 
must get rid of him on the quiet!” 

A boat was hastily ordered lowered and the two 
men rowed ashore. When quite near, they saw 
another man also standing on the beach. The 
younger man held a glass to his eyes. 

Suddenly the two ran and disappeared in the 
woods. 


180 


JAMES GRIFFIN^S ADVENTURES 


‘'There are two of them!’’ exclaimed Hardy. 
“Who can the other be? They’ve made for the 
woods, but they cannot escape us. We"ll beat over 
the whole island until we find them.” 

That morning Mr. Griffin had gone down to 
the beach to get some oysters, and was on the 
shore before he saw the vessel out on the ocean. 
At first he could not realize that it was really a 
vessel. 

“Thank God!” he exclaimed, “a ship! a ship!” 
He stood a while to convince himself that it was 
no illusion. Yes, there was a ship! A boat was 
being lowered! 

“James! James!” shouted Mr. Griffin. “A ship! 
a ship! Come here at once!” 

James heard the call and was by his father’s side 
in a moment. 

“At last, father, we are to be rescued. See! a 
boat is coming ashore now. I’ll get the glass and 
see what the vessel looks like.” And James hur- 
riedly returned to the house for his field-glass. He 
looked long and carefully. 

Suddenly he turned pale. 


ON LAND AND SEA. 


181 


^^Father, Captain Hardy is in that boat! He 
is pulling the bow oar! There's no doubt about it! 
Come, we must escape! They intend to do away 
with us and we must look out for ourselves!” And 
the two hurried to the house and quickly let down 
into the tunnel all their goods. They hurriedly 
carried everything away and securely closed the 
opening. 

‘‘We have more to fear from those two men than 
from the hundreds of simple savages, but I think 
we are secure here!” said James. 

Captain Hardy and Captain Saam landed and 
looked about. They were both armed with revol- 
vers, and it was their intention to shoot Mr. Griffin 
on sight and do away with him without any of the 
crew knowing it. 

They fastened their boat and followed the path 
that led to the house. It was deserted! 

“They have taken to the woods and I don’t see 
how we can hunt them down alone,” said Hardy, 
looking at the deep undergrowth. “They may 
have many hiding places and could elude us for a 
year. We must get the crew ashore to help in 


182 


JAMES GRIFFIN^S ADVENTURES 


the search and trust to luck to get rid of them in 
the future. We cannot allow Griffin to remain 
here to be picked up and some day return to San 
Francisco to prosecute us. You know you would 
lose the Sea Gull, which you now own, but which 
really belongs to Griffin. Come, we must make 
a systematic search for them. Griffin, doubtless, 
became suspicious and hid.’’ And Hardy and Saam 
returned to the boat and rowed out to the vessel. 

James looked out from a hole in the hollow tree 
and watched the return of the two. Mr. Griffin 
also took a look with the glass and quickly recog- 
nized Captain Saam. 

‘‘They have come to murder me!” said Mr. 
Griffin, “and if Captain Hardy finds you here, 
James, he will also do away with you. They are 
returning to the vessel, and we must watch.” 

Soon the two men, who had hidden like rabbits 
from some hound, saw a couple of boats put 
ashore with about half the crew on board. 

The men were promised a large reward for the 
capture of the old man on the island. They were 
told that he was a fugitive from justice, and that he 


ON LAND AND SEA. 


183 


was the same party they had picked up on their last 
trip and again set adrift. 

The men were all anxious to secure the general 
reward, and the one who made the capture was 
to get a hundred dollars extra. 

They were eager for the capture, which they 
thought would be quite easy. The men were 
spread along in a line and were ordered to ex- 
amine every bit of ground over which they went. 

James and his father now knew that it was to 
be a hunt to the death! They further secured 
themselves against attack, and arranged it so that 
if any of the openings should be discovered, they 
could quickly close up sections of the tunnel. 

At first the men were quiet in their search, but 
after a while they became more noisy, and the two 
men in hiding could hear their shouts in all parts 
of the island. 

Some of the men came to where James and his 
father had their big boat building. 

Captain Hardy was called and he ordered every- 
thing burned. They also found the boat in which 


184 


JAMES GRIFFIWS ADVENTURES 


Mr. Griffin had been set adrift. Two of the sailors 
rowed it to where the other boats lay. 

At noon the hunters returned to the place where 
they had landed. 

Captain Hardy also ordered the house fired, and 
looked about in vain for the tools that must have 
been used in building the boat, but he could find 
nothing. 

‘Tt is plain that the person who is here with 
Griffin has provided a secure hiding place. They 
must be in a cave or up in some trees,’^ remarked 
Captain Hardy to Captain Saam. 

‘'Well, they’re not in the woods, at any rate,’^ 
returned Captain Saam, “and I don’t think they 
are in a cave, for there are no caves on the island. 
They must be hiding in the top of some of those 
palm trees.’^ 

The men did not return to the ship for dinner, 
because they could get more to eat on shore, but 
Hardy and Saam went back to see if all was right 
and to devise some method of capturing Mr. 
Griffin. 


ON LAND AND SEA. 


185 


wonder who it can be that is here with 
Griffin?’’ pondered Captain Hardy. 

‘‘He seemed a young-looking fellow, and was 
dressed neatly, while Mr. Griffin had on the same 
clothes in which I set him adrift. He was a hard- 
looking sight,” returned Captain Saam. 

“At all events he seems afraid of us. Griffin 
must have recognized you and told him that we 
were in search of him,” said Hardy. 

“What we ought to do is to fire the whole island 
and burn or smoke them out. If they are hiding 
in any tree they would soon drop down like dead 
flies,” suggested Hardy. 

“A good idea,” assented Saam. “But would the 
trees burn?” 

“Well, if they won’t burn they will smoke terri- 
bly, and the wind will carry the smoke all through 
the woods and drive them out.” 


186 


JAMES GRIFFIN’S ADVENTURES 


CHAPTER XXVIL 

IN SEARCH OF THE ISLAND. 

Captain Napier, on the vessel Seattle, with Mrs. 
Griffin, Helen and Joe Farrell on board, sailed day, 
after day in a southwesterly direction. 

The captain cheered Mrs. Griffin with his con- 
fident words, and Helen was so sure that they 
would soon rescue her father that the mother was 
greatly comforted. But one thing worried her. 

“Do you think. Captain Napier, that we can ar- 
rive before Captain Hardy?” asked the anxious 
woman. “You know if they capture him they will 
doubtless murder him at once.” 

“We can but hope to do so. Let us put our 
trust in God. He surely will not forsake us. We 
should have overhauled the Sea Gull by this time, 
but Captain Saam knows exactly where to go, 
while we must cruise around. You may 


ON LAND AND SEA. 


187 


be sure that if Mr. Griffin is yet alive he will not 
fail to hail us.’’ 

They visited many islands on the charts. At 
one of the islands where they went ashore for fresh 
water and fruit, the sailors were astounded to run 
across a huge bamboo house in the center of the 
island, and saw every sign of luxury through its 
open porticoes, while the surrounding country was 
laid out in beautiful gardens. 

As they appeared in the open glade, an aged 
white man left a stockade close to the house, and, 
followed by his native wife and children, with 
twenty black servants bringing up the rear, came 
toward him. The modern Robinson Crusoe either 
refused to speak or had forgotten his native tongue, 
for he made himself understood by signs, and 
this dumb show was to the effect that if the visitors 
did not leave the island at once it would be worse 
for them. 

The white man, like the natives, wore no cloth- 
ing except a loin-cloth made of skins. The natives 
treated their white master with great reverence, 


188 


JAMES GRIFFIN’S ADVENTURES 


evidently looking upon him as a big chief or a 
deity. The man’s identity could not be learned. 

At first they thought it might be Mr. Griffin and 
went back to the boat to tell Captain Napier of 
what they had seen. He accompanied the men 
ashore and soon convinced himself that it was not 
the man for whom they were searching. 

At another island they were about to lower a 
boat to make inquiries, but Captain Napier dis- 
cerned a rakish-looking craft in an inlet. Although 
piracy on the high seas was now uncommon, ex- 
cept, perhaps, in Chinese waters, he concluded to 
take no chances, and resolved to cruise around 
the other side of the land. 

As the natives on shore saw the ship sailing 
away, two long boats put out with the evident in- 
tention of at least speaking to the captain. 

No arms were to be seen on board, and they 
pulled along leisurely enough, but Captain Napier 
did not intend to be caught napping. 

When he began his cruise he had prepared for 
the possibility of a conflict with Captain Hardy and 
the crew of the Sea Gull, so he had ample arms 


ON LAND AND SEA, 


189 


to man every seaman on board. He also had on 
board a cannon, that had been given him in 
China by an English officer. The piece had once 
been in an old fort there, but had been discarded 
to make room for something more up-to-date. It 
was used on board occasionally to fire salutes. It 
was a muzzle loader, and the powder charges 
were made up in red flannel about the size of 
bananas. It was quite a formidable weapon 
against savages, and it was now brought up on 
deck with a block and tackle, loaded and placed 
in view of the oncoming boatmen, and he ordered 
the cook to have lots of hot water ready. The 
men in the two boats were a mixture of Malay and 
other races, and they looked capable of committing 
any crime. 

When they got within speaking distance, the 
captain asked them what was wanted. 

^‘Me want to sell fruit and fish,’' shouted one, 
in fairly good English. 

''Don’t want any,” returned Captain Napier. 


"We have all we care for.” 


190 


JAMES GRIFFIN’S ADVENTURES 


“Me sell cheap,” returned the leader, and the 
boat came nearer and nearer. 

“Don’t you come any closer!” called out the 
captain. “Stand away, there!” he shouted, as one 
of the boats swung alongside near the bow. 

There was considerable fruit in the boat, and 
the captain thought they might be all right after 
all, but he determined not to allow more than one 
man at a time on board. But several of the natives 
stood on the side of their boat and proceeded to 
clamber over the ship’s rail. 

Joe Farrell stood by with a pike pole and placed 
it in front of the native’s breast, which caused him 
to fall back. 

The other fellow came on board with a basket, 
gave a searching look about and then addressing 
Captain Napier, proceeded to show him a lot of 
curios. He evidently expected to get all the crew 
interested, but Captain Napier gave a quiet order, 
“Every man in your place, and keep a sharp look- 
out. Shoot tKe first fellow who attempts to 
board us.” 

The captain purchased a few articles from the 


ON LAND AND SEA. 


191 


native and gave them to Helen, but he kept his 
hand on his revolver, ever ready for a treacherous 
act. 

Finally the trading native returned to the long 
boat, and it was plain to be seen that he was dis- 
pleased with the men, for he scolded them and ap- 
peared very angry. Then he suddenly gave a sharp 
order, and in an instant all hands sprang for the 
rail of the ship. 

A dozen shots rang out at almost the same time, 
and Joe poked two of the natives over into the 
water. There was a howl of agony among the 
men, and two of them sprang on board with their 
long knives, which they pulled out from their loose 
clothing. They were both laid low with pistol 
shots. 

The anchor hung right over one of the native 
boats, and Joe quickly released the dog that held 
the windlass, and the great heavy iron went rattling 
down and crashing into the boat, which was de- 
molished in a twinkling with its crew swimming 
in the water. 

The hot water was now brought forward, and 


192 


JAMES GRIFFIN^ S ADVENTURES 


with a hand pump, used for cleaning the deck, the 
hose was turned onto them. Every native in the 
boat jumped into the water to escape a scalding, 
and all started to swim to shore, which they reached 
safely. None of the pirates appeared to be killed, 
and the two wounded ones on deck were helped 
overboard into the remaining boat and set adrift. 

The men acted admirably during- the excitement, 
as did also Mrs. Griffin and Helen. They were 
confident in the ability of the men to beat off the 
visitors, so they acted coolly all through. 

The pirates should doubtless have been served 
in the same manner that they treated their victims 
but Captain Napier thought they had been given 
a severe lesson. 

Raising the anchor, the ship sailed away, leaving 
the Malays to attend to their various injuries. 



















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ON LAND AND SEA. 


193 


CHAPTER XXVIII. 

TO THE RESCUE. 

The Seattle finally arrived at another island, and 
saw many savages. Some came on board in canoes 
to trade, and these were questioned. 

They happened to be some of the same savages 
that had visited the island upon which James and 
Mr. Griffin were located. 

In answer to questions, they said in broken Eng- 
lish that there were two men on a neighboring 
island to the south. The men possessed some 
wonderful power. One was a young man and the 
other was old. They explained how they had been 
caught on a wire, and told about the great face in 
the sky, and the terrible fire that shot at them in 
the night. They also spoke of the voice in the air 
over their heads. 

Helen listened closely. 

‘‘That sounds like some of James’ work! He is 


194 


JAMES GRIFFIN’S ADVENTURES 


quite a ventriloquist, and with a wire and a battery 
he could do just such things as they described. It 
must be James and father. Let us proceed at once 
in the direction they say that island is located,” 
cried Helen to Captain Napier. 

Helen’s enthusiasm was contagious. Although 
so young a girl, she inspired confidence in the 
others. 

The vessel was soon under full sail for the island 
that was the temporary home of James and Mr. 
Griffin. 

As they neared the island they saw dense 
volumes of smoke, and Captain Napier looked long 
and carefully with his glass. Mrs. Griffin and 
Helen stood near the rail and anxiously waited for 
the captain to speak. 

What could it mean? Was a ship burning? 
No, more likely a fire on the island. 

“It is a good sign, for it shows that some one is 
there and alive< and doubtless the ones of whom 
we are in search,” said the captain. 

As they sailed nearer the island, they saw 
around the side a vessel lying at anchor. 


ON LAND AND SEA, 


195 


What vessel could be there except the Sea Gull? 
It was out of the track of all ships, and here was 
an island uninhabited save by two white men. Yes, 
the vessel must be the one in charge of Captain 
Hardy and Captain Saam. 

Captain Napier had no doubt that it was 
the enemy's vessel, so he hauled around to get out 
of sight until he could learn exactly how matters 
stood. He had a good and true crew and had 
plenty of arms on board. They would not take the 
offensive, but would fight for their rights if neces- 
sary. The smoke on the island was now terrible, 
but as the wind was blowing away from them they 
did not feel it. 

A boat was lowered and the occupants rowed 
along shore, to identify, if possible, the other ves- 
sel. 

They soon returned, and reported that it was the 
Sea Gull. 

Captain Napier then quickly realized the mean- 
ing of the fire and smoke. It was to burn or smoke 
out the two occupants of the island. 

A boat was quickly lowered and the captain, Joe 


196 


JAMES GRIFFIN’S ADVENTURES 


and a number of men went ashore. Over half of 
the island was smouldering. 

“I hope we have not arrived too late,” said Cap- 
tain Napier, apprehensively. “Captain Hardy and 
his men are firing the island, and poor Mr. Griffin 
and his son may already be smothered.” 

“I don’t believe it!” said Joe, “they have gone 
through too much to die at the last moment. You 
don’t know that boy! If he gets cornered he would 
take to the sea and swim to one of the other 
islands!” 

The captain could not help smiling at the con- 
fident words of Joe. 

“That’s all right. Captain; he swam from San 
Francisco bay, out through the Gate and many 
miles down the coast one night — and he can do it 
again! Do you remember what we heard about 
how he treated the savages — three hundred of 
them? Well, he’ll prove as slippery for Captain 
Hardy, too.” ..^nd Joe pulled savagely at his heavy 
moustache. 

As the boat neared the shore they heard shoot- 


ON LAND AND SEA. 


197 


ing* and yelling, and realized that there must be 
some reason for it — and the only inference was, 
that Mr. Griffin and James were being hunted. 

'Tull lively, men!” cried the captain. "We must 
take a hand in this matter, too.” 


m 


JAMES GRIFFIN^S ADVENTURES 


CHAPTER XXIX. 

JAMES AND HIS FATHER SMOKED OUT. 

When James and his father saw the intention 
of the men to fire the island, their hearts sank 
within them. They watched the operations of the 
crew of the Sea Gull with apprehension. 

A ^reat number of trees were cut down and fires 
were started among the brush, and it was not long 
before the smoke became so dense that no one 
could breathe in it. 

The beginning of the fire was right over the 
path of several branches of the tunnel. 

The underground passages had been made so 
near the surface that a hot fire would soon pene- 
trate to the interior. 

James felt of the ground repeatedly all along 
the top of their retreat, and realized that the heat 
was penetrating to them, and that the light frame- 
work would soon catch fire and drive them out. 


ON LAND AND SEA. 


199 


^‘Father/’ said James, ''it is only a question of a 
short time when we shall be forced to leave this 
retreat. As we did not calculate on the island be- 
ing thoroughly burned over, we did not go deep 
enough to keep the heat from penetrating to us.’’ 

"Come, let us begin at once to dig deeper. 
Perhaps we can yet do so before the heat becomes 
too intense,” ventured Mr. Griffin. 

So the two set to work vigorously — James 
chopping the ground with his ax and his father 
shoveling away the dirt. The space was so small 
that the progress was slow and fatiguing. The 
heat was becoming alarmingly intense and the air 
was stifling. 

"It’s no use, father. We must get out of this,” 
said James finally. "But where can we go^ The 
whole neighborhood is being burned over and the 
men are guarding every avenue to prevent our 
escape. They are all armed and would doubtless 
shoot us on sight. Captain Hardy has probably 
told them lies about us and promised them liberal 
rewards for our capture.” 

"Yes, Captain Hardy is desperate. He would 


200 


JAMES GRIFFIN^S ADVENTURES 


not stop at murder now to get rid of us. We 
must escape from here, for the heat is becoming 
unbearable,” said Mr. Griffin, wiping the perspira- 
tion from his brow. 

James, too, was suffering from the heat. All 
his electrical apparatus, which was so effective 
against the savages, would be useless now. True, 
they had a gun and revolver, but even if they did 
succeed in killing one or two of the crew, it would 
mean their death, for the others would then feel 
justified in shooting them down like wild beasts.. 

“James,” said Mr. Griffin, “it seems that we must 
surrender. We cannot stand it here much longer. 
We shall soon become prostrated with the heat. 
My head now seems like bursting! We must have 
fresh air! Let us immediately go to the coolest 
point and get out and trust to God for our final 
escape! We can make an appeal to the men— 
perhaps some of them will listen to us! Anything 
is preferable tO-^is intense heat!” 

They immediately proceeded to one of the 
places arranged for an exit. They quickly cleared 
away the supports to the ground. Dense smoke 


ON LAND AND SEA. 


201 


was all about them and fires were smouldering in 
every direction. 

James saw that there was a comparatively clear 
space in a direction almost opposite to the side 
where the Sea Gull lay at anchor. It was the only 
avenue of escape, and the two men determined to 
take advantage of it. 

Quickly emerging from the retreat, they started 
on a run through the woods. 

Mr. Griffin had tied a wet handkerchief about 
his head and carried the rifle, and James had his 
revolver, although it was agreed not to use them 
unless to save their lives for the time being. 

They calculated that if they were armed they 
could better treat with their pursuers. 

They had gone but a short distance when one 
of the sailors on watch saw them and gave the 
alarm. Answering shouts were heard from differ- 
ent parts of the island. 

The two men ran with all possible speed toward 
the opposite beach. They heard shots fired near 
them, and it seemed as though they were being 
hunted like wild beasts. They felt that escape was 


202 


JAMES GRIFFIN’S ADVENTURES 


impossible. Was death to be the end of their suf- 
ferings after all? 

‘‘Here they are! Here they are!” shouted a 
sailor close to them. 

“Don’t let them escape!” they heard the voice 
of Hardy call out. 

Captain Hardy was like a wolf in chase of a 
fagged-out horse. He saw his victims near, and he 
would soon forever be rid of the man that stood 
between him and a fortune! 

James and his father remained together and 
made several circuits, but kept the sea in sight. 

Finally, seeing that they were being closely pur- 
sued, and constantly being shot at, Mr. Griffin 
suggested that they conceal themselves and return 
the fire of the sailors. Accordingly they hid be- 
hind a lot of thick undergrowth, and Mr. Griffin 
sent a few shots into the woods with his rifle and 
James did the same with his revolver. 

This was something so unexpected by the sailors 
that they made a precipitate retreat. Captain 
Hardy and Captain Saam were also surprised, 


ON LAND AND SEA. 


203 


never for a moment suspecting that the two men 
on the island were armed. 

The shooting by James and his father had a salu- 
tary effect on the crew of the Sea Gull. The offer 
of money for the capture of the two strange men 
suddenly lost its charm, for the crew evidently val- 
ued their lives a great deal more than a few hun- 
dred dollars. Then their not knowing the re- 
sources of the enemy, made them hesitate about 
renewing the attack. 

Captain Hardy urged the men to go forward, 
but remained out of sight himself. The sailors, how- 
ever, kept back. They thought he ought to lead 
them and rather wished him to say: ''Come on, 
boys,’’ like a brave leader would. 

Suddenly James saw a ship lying at anchor not 
far from shore. It was not the Sea Gull! 

"A ship! father! a ship!” he exclaimed. "See! 
a boat has been lowered and they are coming 
ashore! We must reach the beach before we are 
overtaken! They surely will protect us when they 
hear our story!” 

And James and his father gof up, the former 


204 


JAMES GRIFFIN^S ADVENTURES 


leading the way as fast as he could to the point 
where the boat would land. 

Finally the two rushed toward the boat that 
was just making a landing. They were both ter- 
ribly exhausted, and could not speak. They felt 
that succor was at hand and their energy relaxed. 

James was almost at the fainting point. His 
brain was in a whirl, while his father lay on the 
beach overcome. Suddenly, in his dazed condi- 
tion, James heard a voice that sounded like the 
sweetest music: 

‘'That’s James Griffin! James! James!” and Joe 
Farrell was out of the boat and running to the 
now unconscious young man. 

Joe took him to the water’s edge and bathed his 
face, and the captain did the same for Mr. Griffin. 

In a few minutes both revived sufficiently to 
speak. 

“Is it really you, Joe?” murmured James, as 
tears of joy came to his eyes. “You were just in 
time! But how came you here?” 

Just then a number of men dashed out into the 
open. Captain Hardy had seen James and his 


ON LAND AND SEA, 


205 


father again get up and run, and with a shout 
urged the men in pursuit. As soon as they 
emerged from the underbrush they were astounded 
at what they saw! A boat on the beach and a 
vessel lying at anchor on the placid bosom of the 
great ocean! It was all there before their eyes! 
They also saw that each man had a gun in his 
hand! 

They were dumbfounded, and fell back to wait 
for Captain Hardy and Captain Saam. 

These men soon reached the sailors; Captain 
Hardy was perspiring and out of breath. He 
looked at the scene before him in amazement. He 
finally concluded to put on a bold front and de- 
mand the prisoners. 

Ordering his men to follow, he neared the group 
and called out: 

'‘We are searching for two men who are fugi- 
tives from justice! I see you have them there! 
I demand that you deliver them to us!” 

"You are mistaken!” called out Captain Napier. 
"These men are not fugitives from justice! You 
have made an error in the persons! It is yourself 


206 JAMES GRIFFIN’S ADVENTURES 

and the captain of that vessel who are fugitives 
from justice!” 

Captain Hardy drew back, but quickly recover- 
ing himself he said: 

''At them, men! We are two to one! We shall 
see who has the power here!” 

But not one of the sailors moved. They were 
not pleased at the looks of a blue-coated officer^ 
Hunting two castaways was one thing, but fight- 
ing those men, each armed with a gun, and a vessel, 
back of them, was quite a different matter! 


ON LAND AND SEA, 


207 


CHAPTER XXX. 

A HAPPY MEETING. 

As the boat left the vessel, Mrs. Griffin and 
Helen stood by the rail and watched. One of the 
officers, with glass in hand, scanned the shore. He 
reported to the two ladies what he saw. 

Suddenly he threw them into the wildest agita- 
tion by crying out: 

‘‘There comes an old man and a young man out 
of the woods! They are evidently being pursued! 
Both have dropped on the beach! Joe is carrying 
the young man to the water and bathing his face! 
Captain Napier is doing the same to the old man! 
There come the men who were chasing them!’’ 

“Oh, let me look!” cried Helen, as she eagerly 
reached for the glass. 

“There stands Captain Hardy!” she exclaimed. 
^^And there is James! Oh, James, James! Oh,, 
mother, James and father are together and res- 


208 


JAMES GRIFFIN’S ADVENTURES 


cued!’’ and Helen could not look longer, for tears 
filled her eyes. 

“Come, let us go ashore at once!” cried Helen. 

Mrs. Griffin was so overcome that she could not 
speak. Her husband alive — her son, also, on the 
beach! . She clasped her hands and lifted them to 
heaven in gratitude. Oh, what happiness for her! 

A boat was hastily lowered and Mrs. Griffin and 
Helen entered. The men fairly made the boat leap 
through the water, urged on by the excited cries 
of Helen. 

As the boat reached the shore, James and Mr. 
Griffin were waiting. Helen waved her hand to the 
two men. She knew now that it was her dear 
father and her brother James. 

The meeting between the wife, husband, sister 
and brother was affecting and happy. There was 
not a dry eye, even among the rough sailors. They 
all turned their heads away. 

When Captain Hardy saw Mrs. Griffin and 
Helen, and recognized Joe Farrell as an officer, 
his face dropped. He had supposed that the men 



MR. GRIFFIN SFNT A FKW SHOTS INTO THE WOODS WITH HIS RIFDE, AND JAMES DID THE SAME 

WITH HIS See page 202. 




ON LAND AND SEA. 


209 


were strangers, but now he knew it was all up with 
him. 

“Mr. Officer, arrest those two men!” ordered 
Captain Napier, and Joe slipped handcuffs on Cap- 
tain Hardy and Captain Saam, almost before they 
realized it. Captain Hardy protested, threatened, 
and blustered at the indignity offered him, but 
seeing that no attention was paid to his words, he 
looked over at the happy group to his right and 
attempted to smile, but it was a sickly effort. 

“A very affecting meeting!” he sneered. 

“Yes, Captain Hardy,” said Joe, “and there will 
be an affecting separation when you are sent to 
prison for your rascalities.” 

As Joe spoke, he stepped nearer to Captain 
Hardy and added: 

“Let me search you. Captain, for some of the 
money that belongs to Mr. Griffin. You must 
have considerable with you, as you sold a great 
deal of property before you started on your trip.” 

Joe found a well-filled wallet, and further exami- 
nation disclosed a belt full of greenbacks. These 
he handed over to Mr. Griffin’s care. 


210 


JAMES GRIFFIN’S ADVENTURES 


Captain Saam protested pitifully, and said he was 
acting under orders from Captain Hardy. His 
words were in vain. 

He was kept handcufifed. The sailors were told 
that as the vessel belonged to Mr. Griffin they 
would be under his orders hereafter. But Mr. 
Griffin left the whole matter in charge of his old 
friend Captain Napier, to do as he pleased. The 
crews of the vessels were changed somewhat, and 
the sailors were glad to escape so easily. They 
said they were simply obeying orders, and believed 
what they had been told — that the two men were 
murderers and fugitives from justice. 

Captain Hardy and Captain Saam were returned 
to the Sea Gull and a large part of the crew of 
Captain Napier’s vessel were also put on the Sea 
Gull and an equal number of the Sea Gull’s men 
were put on board the Seattle. 

They lay at anchor several days, and after the 
fires on thei^island had gone down sufficiently, 
James, his father, mother, Helen, Captain Napier, 
Joe and several of the crew visited the place where 
James and his father had made their home. The 


ON LAND AND SEA. 


211 


cosy little cabin in which they had lived was totally 
destroyed, having been burned, but James and Joe 
went into the tunnel and brought out all of the 
articles concealed there, and they were conveyed 
on board the vessel. 

The party also visited all the points of interest, 
and Helen was not satisfied until she, too, had 
gone into the tunnel and seen the retreat of James 
and her father. 

Seated in one of the favorite spots 'of observation 
of her brother and father, she asked James to relate 
all the incidents of their stay, and she had many a 
merry laugh over the stories James told her. 

“When I heard how the savages had been 
treated on this island, I knew it was some of your 
work, James. No one else would have thought 
of such a thing.” 

Finally the time came when they must be think- 
ing of returning home, and soon all were aboard 
ship and the anchor weighed. 

James and Helen and the happy mother and 
proud father made a pretty picture as they sat 
together on deck discussing the future. Mr. Griffin 


212 JAMES GRIFFIN’S ADVENTURES 

could not help wondering at the tall and handsome 
Helen, whom he always had in his mind as a girl 
of but seven, as he had left her ten years before. 

The return voyage was a pleasant one. The winds 
were favorable and the weather clear and many a 
story was told by Mr. Griffin, James, and Captain 
Napier. 


ON LAND AND SEA, 


212 


CHAPTER XXXI. 

CAPTAIN Napier's story. 

‘'Say, Captain," remarked James one day, as all 
were seated on deck, “as you have spent your whole 
life on the sea, and your father before you also did, 
you must have had many interesting* experiences. 
Tell us some of them." 

“Well," returned the captain, “if you care to listen 
to a story I shall be pleased to entertain you for a 
few minutes. I have been in several shipwrecks, 
but that is simply the old story of big waves and 
howling winds, a long struggle in the water, and 
then to reach land more dead than alive. But the 
story I shall now relate to you is an incident that 
happened about thirty years ago, when I was a lad 
of ten years. My father had taken me with him 
on a trip to China as he thought I could learn a great 
deal by traveling, and he also gave me lessons regu- 
larly in reading, mathematics, and seamanship. I 


214 


JAMES GRIFFIN\S ADVENTURES 


was a big boy for my age, and a general favorite 
among the crew. 

''We had left the beautiful bay of Manila and were 
on our way to Canton for tea, when a storm drove 
us near the island of Formosa. Here we lay to until 
the wind went down and the sea subsided, and then 
we worked our way toward the Chinese coast. This 
was in i860, and at that time Chinese pirates were 
numerous in those waters. My father was a man 
who believed in being prepared for every emergency 
and would no more have thought of going on his 
trading trips without a good supply of weapons, than 
a scout on the plains without a rifle. It was a lucky 
thing for us that we were so well provided for, or 
I would not be here now telling this story and Mr. 
Griffin and James might both be dead, for I could 
never have gone tO' their rescue. Well, one even- 
ing, just as it was getting dark, we saw two junks, 
with several oarsmen handling sweeps, or long oars, 
approaching us from a little bay. We paid no atten- 
tion to them -at first, for we had met several small 
merchant vessels, and none of them had molested 
us. But as it grew darker, our lookout noticed that 
they were continually nearing us. My father was 


ON LAND AND SEA. 


215 


notified and came on deck to investigate matters. 
One boat was now on each side of us, and no more 
than one hundred feet distant. 

‘‘ ‘Ship ahoy, there! keep away!' cried my father, 
but whether they had not heard us or did not under- 
stand, they kept nearing us, and father ordered the 
guns and cutlasses brought on deck and every man 
armed. Hardly a breath of air was stirring just 
then, so even the man at the wheel was free to help 
in the defense of the craft. 

“My father knew what to expect if we were at- 
tacked, for he had heard of many a merchant vessel 
being stripped of cargo, food, and even sails, leaving 
the crews with hardly enough rigging to reach a 
port. Resistance without success means death to 
every member of the crew, so when there is no 
chance of success the crews at once turn their ves- 
sels over to the pirates and run the risk of saving 
their lives. Should the forces be about equal, a 
fierce fight ensues, which means death to the de- 
feated party. This method has caused the pirates to 
generally go in force, and led them to take it for 
granted that if they were more numerous than the 
traders there would be no need of a fight. That was 


216 


JAMES GRIFFIN^S ADVENTURES 


doubtless the opinion of the pirates (for pirates they 
were) in the two junks near us. We could see in 
the dim light that the boats fairly swarmed with 
men, and by the time they swung alongside of us 
every one of our men was armed with gun and cut- 
lass. We were twenty men to about forty, but none 
of our crew feared the outcome of the impending 
battle. My father told me to go into the cabin, so 
as to be out of the way, and I hastily obeyed him, 
but as there were guns to spare, I took possession 
of one and cocked it ready for business. Standing 
in the cabin door, with my weapon resting on top of 
the cabin, I was determined to shoot, too, if an op- 
portunity came. 

‘‘The mate was on one side of the vessel and my 
father on the other, and the orders were to fire as 
soon as an attempt was made to board us. It was 
not long before I heard the order to fire, which was 
followed by groans and yells. The bullets did not 
stop them, for those who' were not injured nimbly 
climbed over4lie rail. Then the cutlasses came into 
play, and a terrible battle resulted. The Chinese 
rushed at the crew with their long knives, and three 
of them were forcing my father back step by step, 


ON LAND AND SEA. 


217 


although he was swinging his cutlasss about him vig- 
orously. He finally reached the rail and the pirates 
were about to rush in on him when I fired and two 
of them fell to the deck. The third was struck down 
by my father, and when he rushed to help the others 
we all had the pleasure of seeing the remaining 
pirates jump overboard into the sea. Regaining 
their junks they immediately put of¥. We now com- 
pared notes, and found that we had not lost a man, 
although several had received ugly slashes with 
knives. 

‘'My father praised me highly for my shot, and 
said that it undoubtedly saved his life. There were 
about ten dead pirates on the deck, and they were 
tossed into the sea. The decks were washed up and 
the guns reloaded in case of another attack, but we 
thought they would not care to make another trial. 

“It was about midnight when the watch reported 
that three craft were quietly approaching, and all 
hands were aroused to resist the expected boarders. 
Several pails of oil were brought on deck, and it 
was our intention to throw this into the boats, fol- 
lowed by oil-soaked burning brands. It was 
thought that every one of the piratical crew would 


218 


JAMES GRIFFIN’S ADVENTURES 


jump into the water as soon as the oil blazed up. 
There was danger, though, of our own ship taking 
fire, but my father thought it was worth while run- 
ning that risk. 

''The pirates would doubtless use new tactics in 
the second attack and we could see that they were 
coming in force — at least sixty men, and probably 
more than that. Our men were now reduced to 
about sixteen, and we could scarcely hope to cope 
with them the second time, but we recognized that 
now it was a matter of life or death, and every man 
was prepared to fight to the last. As soon as the 
boats came within range of our guns we let go at 
them, and as they swept up alongside, we quickly 
threw the pails of oil into the boats, followed by 
the burning brands. It worked like magic. In an 
instant the junks were in flames, and some of the 
men jumped into the sea, and others attempted to 
escape the flames by boarding our vessel, but they 
were cut down as fast as they reached the rail. It 
was a terrible-^^ht, and the roar of the flames was 
mingled with the cries of the pirates. A light breeze 
had sprung up, and we were quick tO' take advan- 
tage of it. Slowly we moved from the vicinity of the 


ON LAND AND SEA, 


219 


burning junks, and none too soon, for the flames 
were already catching in the rigging and it required 
the attention of several men with water to keep our 
own boat from taking fire. However, we were soon 
clear of the pirates, and found that none of our men 
had been injured in the second battle. For some 
minutes we could see the burning craft, but what 
became of the crews we did not know. We pre- 
sumed the majority of them were drowned. A 
number doubtless saved themselves on the le- 
mains of the burned craft. At all events, our resis- 
tance must have proved a wholesome lesson to them. 

‘We finally reached our destination, and in leav- 
ing Canton we put straight out to sea to as soon as 
possible get beyond the reach of the numerous 
small craft that everywhere infest the Chinese coast, 
and a large number of which are preying on com- 


merce. 


220 


JAMES GRJ FEIN’S ADVENTURES 


CHAPTER XXXIL 

MR. GRIFFIN TELLS OF OUR NAVY. 

“Your adventure/’ remarked Mr. Griflfin, “re- 
minds me of what father once told me of an en- 
counter he had while in the United States navy. I 
have never related it, so it will be interesting to 
James and Helen.” 

James, Helen and the others listened attentively 
while Mr. Griffin continued: 

“It was in 1823, when father was about twenty 
years old, that our commerce about Cuba was great- 
ly interfered with by the West Indian pirates. The 
Spaniards either could not or would not extermin- 
ate them, so our government rigged up a lot of small 
vessels and called them the Mosquito Fleet, and they 
were sent after the freebooters. Father was on 
the Greyhound, on which the noted Farragut was a 
second lieutenant. The Greyhound was a schooner 
of eighty-five tons and she carried one long pivot 


ON LAND AND SEA. 


221 


gun and twO' eighteen pounders. The fleet was 
under the command of Commodore Porter. 

''There was quite a heavy storm when the little 
vessels left New York in February, 1823, and the 
Greyhound became separated from the others, and 
arrived in the Mono passage, between Hayti and 
Porto Rico, nearly two weeks after the others. On 
the way she was chased by a British man-of-war, the 
captain of which suspected that she was a pirate 
sailing under false colors. The English war vessel 
sent a big shot in front of the Greyhound's bow, at 
which the Greyhound's captain saucily returned the 
fire. This removed all doubt in the mind of the 
British captain as to her right to carry the American 
flag, for he laughingly remarked that no one but a 
Yankee would have the impudence to fire like that. 
The Englishman sent an apology and invited the 
officers to dine on the big boat. 

"As one of our boats was entering the harbor of 
San Juan, she was fired upon and one of the men 
fatally injured. This was done despite the fact that 
the American flag was flying at the mast of the ves- 
sel. For this outrage the Spaniards made but a mild 
apology, and we learned that they looked with dis- 


222 


JAMES GRIFFIN'S ADVENTURES 


favor at our efforts to clean their waters of the 
buccaneers. 

''The pirates were aware of every move we made, 
and for a long time our work was futile. But one 
day two of our boats surprised a long craft in a 
calm on the Cuban coast. Our boats had about 
thirty marines on board, and the pirate had at least 
sixty well-armed men. The latter had a nine- 
pounder brass gun, and when they saw the two little 
boats coming at them, the commander looked for an 
easy victory. He hoisted the black flag, loaded the 
cannon with grape-shot, and told the advancing 
blue-jackets that he would blow them out of the 
water before they reached him. Nothing daunted, 
our men pulled at their long oars, advancing from 
different directions, sO' that the enemy’s shot could 
disable but one of them. Suddenly the cannon 
boomed and hit one of the vessels, but did little dam- 
age to boat or men. Our sailors did not stop, and 
when the smoke cleared away the pirates were panic- 
stricken to s€e our boats on each side of them. Al- 
though the robbers were two to one, they never 
stopped to make a defense, but like sheep jumped 
one after another into the water and swam for the 


ON LAND AND SEA. 


223 


shore. About forty of the cutthroats were shot as 
they were swimming, and among them the leader 
of all the pirates. He was named 'Little Satan.’ 
Had our men faltered every one of them would 
have been killed, but their boldness was too much 
for the bloodthirsty but cowardly fellows. Many a 
battle has been lost by stopping at the moment of 
victory, and that is what the Indians on the plains 
have often done. Their method has been to make 
an attack and then retire, always giving the defend- 
ers time to get ready for the next charge. They 
have been defeated in many a contest when they 
were ten to one, because they did not have the nerve 
to continue forward after being shot at. 

"After this our boats cruised about the different 
islands, and the pirates always disappeared when- 
ever our men came in sight. At Santa Cruz, on the 
south coast of Cuba, the crews of the Greyhound 
and another boat had an exciting adventure. While 
going through the deep undergrowth they were fired 
upon by a band of pirates. The fire was returned 
with vigor, but with what effect they did not learn, 
for it was deemed best to return to their vessels. 
The chances are that the pirates also ran at the 


224 


JAMES GRIFFIN’S ADVENTURES 


same time. Before daylight next morning Lieut. 
Farragut was ordered to land with a number of men 
and father was one of them. The two schooners 
were to watch the shore closely and aid us if we 
were attacked. The men did not like that kind of 
work, for they knew not where they were going; 
and they feared to be fired upon at any moment. At 
one place they came out upon the beach and the 
men on the vessels thought they were the pirates 
and began to- fire at them. They soon saw their 
mistake, however. 

‘Xater on the haunts of the pillagers were dis- 
covered by one of the boats and a body of our men 
was ordered to gO' inland, make a wide detour and 
close in behind the pirates. The vessels in front 
would drive them toward our men and it was ex- 
pected that the men on board would shoot them 
down as they retreated. It was so hot that several 
of our men were attacked with nausea, and all of 
them were covered with perspiration and blood, for 
their bodies were terribly lacerated by the numerous 
thorny bushes about them. At last they reached 
the desired position and waited for the signal gun 
of the Greyhound. Suddenly they heard a noise as 





I 


CAPT. HINRS,” SAID JAMRS. ‘TvPVr MH) INTRODUCE TO YOU AN ODD ACQUAINTANCE, MY i^ATHER 

MR. GRIFP'IN.”- 5 ^f page 231. 









ON LAND AND SEA. 


225 


though many men were advancing upon them, and 
they concluded that it was the pirates and that they 
were surrounded. The man in command made a 
number of fine speeches, exhorting the men to be 
brave and sell their lives as dearly as possible. At 
the conclusion of these and other brave words the 
men were astonished to see a large number of huge 
land crabs moving along instead of pirates. There 
were roars of laughter, and the men could be heard 
whispering to each other: ‘Stand fast, boys! we can 
whip them!’ The officer in command felt rather 
cheap at the unexpected turn of events. 

“Shortly after this a shot rang out and we closed 
in. Men with bundles of goods were seen running 
in all directions and our men shot at them, but they 
disappeared in the undergrowth. We soon came 
out on the bluffs and saw a few houses, a lot of 
boats, cannon, ammunition, etc., and later dis- 
covered a cave full of goods that must have been 
just taken from a British merchant vessel. Our men 
took what they considered of value and destroyed 
all else. 

“Our vessels kept up a vigorous campaign for 
some time, and made it so uncomfortable for the 


226 


JAMES GRIFFIN'S ADVENTURES 


pirates that they were soon scattered, and probably 
went into peaceful occupations. The work of our 
government was of great value and doubtless re- 
sulted in the saving of thousands of lives and much 
treasure.” 

James and Helen were pleased to learn of the do- 
ings of their grandfather, and James never tired of 
listening to the stories his father told. 

It was a happy day when the family returned to 
San Francisco. 

Mr. Griffin now again occupied his old office and 
James helped him to straighten out the tangle left 
by Captain Hardy. 

They found that Captain Hardy had been reck- 
less in his business methods, and had sustained 
large losses, but the sum of money secured from 
him on the island was a great help to them. He 
had tied up many properties with mortgages and 
had spent the money freely. 


ON LAND AND SEA. 


227 


CHAPTER XXXIII. 

CAPTAIN HINES’ LAST TRIP. 

Let US now return to Captain Hines, who after 
he left James asleep in the woods on the island, 
returned to the ship, and reported that James had 
run away from him and had probably deserted. 

“He’s the most foolish and reckless young fellow 
I ever knew,” said Hines to his men, “and if he’s 
not here on time, we must leave him to his fate.” 

He ordered the men to halloo for him, but all 
their calls failed to receive a response. 

“Well, Jack, go on board and get his trunk and 
bring a gun, an ax, a saw, some nails, a piece of 
canvas and other things, so that he can build him- 
self a hut. It would be a shame to leave him here 
without anything, though he’d never have to 
starve. I’ll write him a letter, telling him of his 
foolishness.” And Captain Hines appeared much 
concerned about James. 


228 - 


JAMES GRIFFIN^S ADVENTURES 


In reality he felt sure that James would go mad 
with fright when he awoke from his drugged sleep, 
and as the island was out of the course of any of 
the ships plying in the South Pacific the chances 
of his being rescued were remote. He knew that 
the neighboring islands were inhabited by canni- 
bals, and it was more than likely that they would 
visit the island, capture James, and kill him. 

The men soon returned to the Essex, and the 
anchor was hoisted and the ship sailed away to 
New Zealand, where the cargo was to be sold and 
a new load secured. 

The first night out. Captain Hines waited anx- 
iously to learn if the mysterious voice and those 
terrible noises would still be heard. All was silent! 

‘‘Just as I thought,’’ he muttered. “That Griffin 
boy being on board was undoubtedly the cause of 
the trouble. Well, I’m mighty glad he’s out of 
the way, and as soon as I get back I’ll get my 
reward from^aptain Hardy. Then I’ll sell this 
boat and settle down somewhere on a farm and 
take it easy. I’m sick and tired of this everlasting 


ON LAND AND SEA. 


■229 


sailing, and if I keep at it, I’m liable to go to the 
bottom some day.” 

To make sure that the spirit voice ■was gone for 
good. Captain Hines found an excuse one day to 
lay a rope over one of his men’s shoulders. He 
trembled in doing so, but there was no command 
to hold his hand. 

The unwelcome spirit was gone — there was no 
doubt about it! Henceforth he would have peace! 

One day a black cloud came up apparently out 
of the water, and gave warning that a violent storm 
was approaching. All the sails were reefed and the 
ship made ready to receive the blast that was ap- 
proaching. The Essex turned over on her beam 
ends, but she came up again, shipping a big sea, 
and carrying one of the men overboard. He might 
have saved himself, as he had hold of a line, but 
he was thrown against the rail with great force and 
was probably rendered unconscious. 

There could be no thought of an attempt at res- 
cue, for it was doubtful for a time if the boat itself 
would not go down. 


230 


JAMES GRIFFIN’S ADVENTURES 


Suddenly there was a crash, and the foremost 
went by the board. The men were at work with 
axes in an instant, clearing away the wreckage, 
and as soon as all was adrift, the men prepared 
to secure the main mast and prevent it from also 
giving way. 

The storm was over as soon as it came, and they 
continued on, and finally reached Auckland to 
make needed repairs. 

Captain Hines disposed of his cargo at a good 
price, and he soon had the hold filled with another 
load for the San Francisco market, and set sail for 
home. 

“Fm a rich man,” he soliloquized. “Captain 
Hardy will reward me handsomely for all my work. 
Besides, the profits of the cargo will net me a round 
sum. Well, I guess this will be my last trip, and 
about time, too. Fm getting pretty well along in 
years, and it’s time I was thinking of getting mar- 
ried and settled down. And the captain smiled in 
anticipation of the ease and comfort he would here- 
after enjoy. 


ON LAND AND SEA. 


231 


It was with a sigh of relief that Captain Hines 
saw his ship tied up at the wharf in San Francisco 
bay after his long voyage. 

“I’ll hurry up, and see Captain Hardy and report 
to him the result of my trip.” And off he went to 
the office on Market street. 

Had he suspected that he was to meet James and 
his father instead of Captain Hardy, he would have 
gone to the ends of the earth to escape. 

One day, while James and his father were busy 
in the office, the door opened, and they were sur- 
prised to see Captain Hines standing there! 

Amazement and horror was depicted upon his 
face when he beheld James, whom he had left on 
an uninhabited South Sea island. He instinctively 
placed his hand before his face to ward off an un- 
seen danger. 

“Captain Hines,” said James, as coolly as though 
he was an ordinary visitor, and without rising, 
“let me introduce you to an old acquaintance, my 
father, Mr. Griffin.” 

That was too much. Captain Hines never said 


232 


JAMES GRIFFIN’S ADVENTURES 


a word, but backed out of the room with his hands 
covering his eyes. 

As soon as he was gone, James telephoned to 
the police station that Captain Hines had arrived. 
He was quickly arrested, and it was not long before 
it was discovered that he was the murderer of Sam 
Collins, which he finally admitted. For this he 
was taken to another state, and is now serving a 
life sentence. 

Captain Hardy received six years’ sentence for 
his attempt upon the lives of James and his father, 
and Captain Saam was also sent up for his complic- 
ity in the affair. 

As soon as matters were fairly well straightened 
out, James returned to College, to complete his 
course. But there was a wonderful change in his 
looks, actions, and thoughts, brought on by less 
than a year’s adventures. His trials had made him 
more sober and self-reliant, and he now fully felt 
the responsibilities of life. He spent little time in 
the athletic work in which he excelled, and more in 
reading and study. His trials had greatly broad- 


ON LAND AND SEA. 


233 


ened his mind, and he was now a man in every 
sense of the word. 

He now made wonderful progress in his studies, 
and within a month had left all his classmates far 
behind. With his matured mind, he quickly 
grasped the full meaning of the most complex sub- 
jects, and inside of a year he left his studies to re- 
lieve his father of all business worries. 

Helen, too, had changed greatly, and she also 
returned to her studies, her music, and elocution 
lessons. 

Mrs. Griffin was as happy as anybody could be. 
While at one time she thought the sea had claimed 
all who were dear to her, she now fervently 
thanked God every day for the great blessings He 
had conferred upon her. And while her children 
were now greatly changed in many ways, their 
love and affection was none the less. 

Mr. Griffin’s old friends were glad to see him, 
and his reappearance was a wonderful surprise to 
all. 

And so, in the end, the good triumphed, as they 
should, and the bad received their just deserts. 


234 


JAMES GRIFFIN’S ADVENTURES 


[Six years later, in 1897, the exciting news came 
to San Francisco of the discovery of gold in the 
Klondyke, and Joe Farrell, who had been there 
prospecting for several years, was one of the first 
miners to return. He had gone up to Circle City 
at James’ expense, and had secured a claim. When 
he was ready to return, James, Helen and several 
others accompanied him to Alaska, and they had 
many exciting adventures in the land of gold. 

The new book, entitled “James Griffin’s Adven- 
tures in Alaska,” is now ready. It is profusely and 
handsomely illustrated.] 


JAMES GRIFFIN’S ADVENTURES ON 
LAND AND SEA. 


By HARRY DEE. 


The First Book of the James Griffin Adventure Series. 

This book relates the adventures of James and his sister Helen 
when he was lb years old and she only 17. 

This is one of the brightest and best stories that has ever been 
published for boys and girls. The story shows that James and 
Helen are thorough young Americans, full of energy and resources. 

It is beautifully printed and contains sixteen full-page half- 
tone illustrations made from photographs of living people. The 
story is full of action and its moral tone is all that could possibly 
be desired. 


JAMES GRIFFIN’S ADVENTURES IN 

ALASKA. 


By HARRY DEE. 


This story gives the reader a graphic description of the trials 
of the gold-seekers who went to Alaska in the fall of 1897, over the 
Dyea trail. Joe Farrell returns from a several years’ prospecting 
trip, and then he and James GrifiBn, Helen GriflBn and others 
make up a party to seek for gold. At Seattle they meet Edward 
Barry, a newsboy, and they decide to take Edward with them, as 
his father is in Alaska. 

When Mr. Griflin, who is in Europe, learns that James is going 
to the Copper River District, he decides to make a trip there and 
meet his son and daughter, and accompanies a party of gold-seekers 
from Port Valdes A daily diary is kept by one of Mr. Griffin’s compan- 
ions for five months, which is true, and is given in full, describing 
the difficulties of crossing the glaciers and going up the rivers. 

The story is full of action from start to finish, and is sure to 
be eagerly read by all who are in anyway interested in Alaska. 

There are sixteen pages of illustrations of realistic scenes in Alaska, 
in which our party forms a prominent part, and also a number of 
photographs of views taken along the trail. 


JAMES GRIFFIN’S ADVENTURES IN 
SOUTH AFRICA. 


By HARRY DEE. 


“James Griffin’s Adventures in South Africa” tells of the 
journey made by James, Helen. Prof. Caldwell, Francis La Bonle, 
and others to South Africa in 1899 in search of diamonds, and they 
are just in time to get mixed up with the Boer war. They have 
many adventures and meet four boys who prove themselves heroes 
in many a severe trial. 

There will be sixteen nages of illustrations showing our friends in 
various parts of South Africa. 


For Sale at all Book Stores and by 

J. H. YEWDALE & SONS CO., Publishers. 

MIL WA UK EE, WIS. 



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